A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bethell family of England.
Reg. 0134 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. on a chev. betw. three boars' heads couped sa. an estoile or”
HerefordshireHerefordshire, c. 1620
Where the Bethell Arms Were Recorded
Herefordshire
Map of England showing where the Bethell arms are recorded
The Bethell arms were recorded in Herefordshire, 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 Bethell 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 Herefordshire.
Origin & History of the Bethell Family in England
The surname Bethell is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person by their father’s given name. It is derived from the medieval name Ithell, which was common in the border regions of Wales and England. Over time, the prefix "ap" or "ab," meaning "son of," was combined with the name Ithell to create "Ab-Ithell." As the English language evolved, this phrase was shortened and Anglicized into the modern spelling of Bethell. By 1620, the family was well-established in the county of Herefordshire, a region with a long history of cultural exchange between Welsh and English populations. This geographical location explains why the family name reflects such a strong connection to early Welsh naming traditions.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beth-el
House of God in Hebrew
This name
BethellDerived from a locative name referring to a house of God or a religious settlement.
also spelled
Bethel
Bethal
Bethall
Betthall
Related arms
Beathellvariant spelling
Kirkbridgerecorded with Bethell, 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, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Herefordshire Archives, Parish Register Transcripts of Herefordshire, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
