A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Argall family of England.
Reg. 2581 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Per fesse ar. and vert a pale counterchanged three lions' heads erased gu”
EssexMuch-Baddow · Essex, c. 1620
Where the Argall Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Argall arms are recorded
The Argall arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Argall 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Argall Family in England
The family name Argall has deep roots in the county of Essex, England, where members of the family were well-established by the early seventeenth century. The name is believed to be of Cornish origin, likely derived from a place name that refers to a wooded area or a high clearing. As the family grew in prominence, they became deeply involved in the maritime and political life of England during the age of exploration. By 1620, the Argalls were recognized as a family of significant social standing, with members serving as influential landowners and officials in the local government. Their presence in Essex during this era reflects a period of transition, as the family expanded its reach from local administration into the broader colonial ventures that defined the British Empire at the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ar-gall
Derived from the Cornish words for high or noble and stranger.
This name
ArgallRefers to a person of noble status who is a foreigner or outsider.
also spelled
Argell
Argale
Related arms
Browghesimilar arms
Mellissimilar arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Kew, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, PROB 11
Essex Record Office, Quarter Sessions Records, Q/SR
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
