A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Archilla family of England.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ar. a bar. gemel sa”
The Archilla arms were recorded in Salop, c. 1620.
Shropshire lay on the Welsh border, and border country needed men who could fight. Families held their land in return for service, and service in arms is what a coat of arms was originally for.
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.
Reigning in England when the Archilla arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name Archilla carries a rich history that traces back to the early seventeenth century in the English county of Shropshire, historically known as Salop. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were already established residents within this region. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic roots, potentially reflecting the diverse cultural influences present in the West Midlands during the late medieval and early modern periods. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, participating in the agricultural and trade activities that defined life in the English countryside. While the name eventually spread to other parts of the world, its early presence in Salop highlights a deep connection to the history of rural England and the long-standing traditions of the local communities where the family first put down roots.
Latin term meaning a bow or arch.
