A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Blackwill family of England.
Reg. 2965 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
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)
“Ar. three trefoils slipped sa. on a chief of the last a lion ramp. of the first”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Blackwill Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Blackwill arms are recorded
The Blackwill 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 Blackwill 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 Blackwill Family in England
The surname Blackwill is a topographical name that likely originated in England to describe a person who lived near a dark or blackened spring, stream, or well. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Blackwill family were firmly established in the historic city of York. During this period, York served as a major center for trade and religious life in Northern England, suggesting that early ancestors were likely involved in the local merchant class or skilled trades necessary to support a growing urban population. As the family became rooted in this region, they contributed to the social fabric of the city during a time of significant transition in English history. The name itself reflects the common practice of the era where families were identified by the specific natural features of the landscape surrounding their homes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Blaec-wielle
Old English for dark or black and a spring or stream.
This name
BlackwillRefers to a person who lived near a dark-colored stream or spring.
also spelled
Blackwell
Blackwyl
Related arms
Blackwellvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
lionCourage, strength and royalty
