A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alwell family of England.
Reg. 1705 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a pile sa. over all a chev. counterchanged”
GloucestershireGloucestershire, c. 1620
Where the Alwell Arms Were Recorded
Gloucestershire
Map of England showing where the Alwell arms are recorded
The Alwell arms were recorded in Gloucestershire, c. 1620.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Alwell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Gloucestershire.
Origin & History of the Alwell Family in England
The family name Alwell is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Gloucestershire, where records confirm the family’s presence as early as 1620. During this period, the name likely emerged as a locational surname, which was a common practice for families living near a specific landmark or a well-known spring. In the rural communities of the seventeenth century, people were often identified by their proximity to local features, and the name suggests an ancestral connection to a well or a water source that served as a focal point for the community. As the family established their roots in the region, they became part of the agricultural and social fabric of the English countryside. Over time, the name evolved through local dialects and spelling variations, reflecting the way families were recorded in parish registers and legal documents during the Stuart era. This early history highlights a life closely tied to the land and the local geography of the West of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aethelweald
Old English elements meaning noble and ruler or power.
This name
AlwellDerived from an Old English personal name signifying a noble protector or ruler.
also spelled
Alwill
Allwill
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Gloucestershire Archives, Diocese of Gloucester Records, 1620
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
