Map of England showing where the Bell arms are recorded
The Bell arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1577.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Bell 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Bell Family in England
The surname Bell emerged in England as a descriptive name, likely identifying individuals who lived near a prominent town bell or worked as bell ringers in their local parish. By the late sixteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Norfolk, as evidenced by records from 1577. During this period, the name was closely tied to the social and economic fabric of East Anglian life, where families often settled in rural villages or growing market towns. Because bells were central to medieval and Renaissance life for marking time, calling people to worship, and signaling emergencies, the name carried a sense of community importance. As the family grew in Norfolk, they integrated into the local administration and agricultural systems of the region, helping to solidify the name as a permanent fixture in English history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. three bells or”
DumfriesKirkconnel · Dumfries, c. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Bell arms are recorded
The Bell arms were recorded in Dumfries, c. 1748.
Dumfriesshire was Scottish border country facing England across a disputed line. Families held their land in return for defending it, and a defending household carried a shield.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Bell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Dumfries.
Origin & History of the Bell Family in Scotland
The surname Bell has deep roots in the Scottish Borders, where families often identified themselves by their proximity to specific landmarks or through descriptive nicknames. By the mid-eighteenth century, the name was well-established in the town of Dumfries, a region defined by its complex history of border reivers and agricultural development. Families living in this area during the 1740s were often part of a tight-knit community that relied on trade and local governance to survive in a landscape shaped by centuries of conflict. While the name itself is simple, it reflects the transition of Scottish society from a clan-based structure to a more settled, town-centered way of life. For the Bells of Dumfries in 1748, life was centered on the daily rhythms of the market town and the growing influence of local records that documented their births, marriages, and property holdings.
Bell Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Bellus
Latin term meaning beautiful, handsome, or fair.
This name
BellA nickname for a handsome man or a metonymic occupational name for a bell ringer.
also spelled
Belle
Bel
Bele
Beall
Bealle
Related arms
Beltsimilar arms
Beall, or Bealvariant spelling
Belevariant spelling
Brownerecorded with Bell, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Norfolk Record Office, Norfolk Archdeaconry Wills and Administrations
The National Archives, Lay Subsidy Rolls for the County of Norfolk
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
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
