A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barrall 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)“Barry of ten ar. and sa”
The Barrall arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 Barrall 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 surname Barrall is rooted in the linguistic traditions of medieval England, likely originating as a descriptive name for someone who worked as a barrel maker or cooper. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 indicate that members of the Barrall family were active participants in the local community during a time when York served as a major northern hub for trade and craftsmanship. As residents of such a prominent city, these early family members were likely integrated into the urban economy, possibly contributing to the bustling merchant guilds or the specialized trades that defined York’s social landscape. Their early documentation in this region suggests that the family was well-settled and played a role in the steady growth of the city during the transition into the Stuart period.
Derived from the Old French word for a barrel or cask.
