A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bissell family of England.
Reg. 3894 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Gu. on a bend ar. three escallops sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bissell Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bissell arms are recorded
The Bissell 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Bissell 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 England.
Origin & History of the Bissell Family in England
The Bissell family name is believed to have originated in England, where it functioned as a descriptive surname during the Middle Ages. Historians often link the name to the Old French word besaigue, which referred to a specialized double-headed tool used by carpenters and stonemasons. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name likely worked as skilled craftsmen or builders. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the family were living and working in this historic northern hub, where they participated in the local economy and community life. As the family grew, they became part of the broader migration patterns that eventually saw many individuals move from these English roots to settle in new territories across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bise
A dark-colored or greyish-blue pigment or fabric.
This name
BissellA diminutive occupational name for a person who worked with dark-colored cloth or dyes.
also spelled
Byssell
Bissill
Bysell
Related arms
Bysellvariant spelling
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
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
