A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Blundell family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2693 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. two pallets ar”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Blundell Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Blundell arms are recorded
The Blundell arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Blundell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Blundell Family in Ireland
The Blundell family name has deep roots in the history of Ireland, appearing in official records as early as the mid-seventeenth century. By 1645, members of the family were well-established in Dublin, a city that served as a major center for trade and administration during a period of significant political upheaval. The name itself is thought to have originated from a descriptive term meaning blonde or fair-haired, which was a common way to identify individuals in medieval society. As the family settled into life in Ireland, they became part of the growing urban population that helped shape the social and economic landscape of the capital. Their presence in Dublin during this era suggests they were integrated into the professional or merchant classes of the time. Over the following generations, the family continued to grow alongside the changing structure of Irish society, leaving a lasting mark on the local history of the region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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. a chev. gu. betw. three eagles displ. vert”
LancasterCrosbie · Lancaster, c. 1401
Where the Blundell Arms Were Recorded
Lancaster
Map of England showing where the Blundell arms are recorded
The Blundell arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1401.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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.
Henry IV of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry IV of England
1399–1413
Reigning in Ireland when the Blundell 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Blundell Family in England
The surname Blundell originates from the Old French word blond, which was a descriptive nickname for a person with fair or light-colored hair. Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, this name became established among the Anglo-Norman population as they settled across England. By the year 1401, historical records confirm that members of the Blundell family had firmly rooted themselves in the county of Lancashire. During this period, the family became significant landowners and local figures in the region, particularly around the areas of Crosby and Ince Blundell. Their presence in the North West of England grew steadily over the following centuries, as they integrated into the local gentry and participated in the administrative and social life of the county. This transition from a descriptive nickname to a prominent regional family name reflects the broader patterns of social mobility and landholding that defined the English medieval period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Blondus
A Latin term meaning fair-haired or light-colored.
This name
BlundellDerived from a nickname for someone with fair or blonde hair.
also spelled
Blundel
Blundill
Related arms
Blondelvariant spelling
Blondellvariant spelling
Bloundellvariant spelling
Jenningsrecorded with Blundell, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
D’Alton, John. History of the County of Dublin. 1838
National Archives of Ireland. Civil Survey of the County of Dublin. 1654
Royal Irish Academy. A New History of Ireland, Volume III: Early Modern Ireland 1534–1691. 1976
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
