A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bonell family of England.
Reg. 7632 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Or, semée of crosses crosslet and a lion ramp. az. armed gu., charged on the breast with an annulet of the first”
WarwickSheldon · Warwick, c. 1620
Where the Bonell Arms Were Recorded
Warwick
Map of England showing where the Bonell arms are recorded
The Bonell arms were recorded in Warwick, c. 1620.
Warwickshire lay in the middle of England, and its landed families were spread evenly across it rather than gathered in one corner. A great many held a single manor each, and each of those holdings brought its own claim to 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 Bonell 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 Warwick.
Origin & History of the Bonell Family in England
The surname Bonell is believed to have roots in medieval England, where it likely functioned as a descriptive nickname or a variation of occupational names common to the period. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic town of Warwick. Records confirm that members of the Bonell family were living in this area by 1620, a time when the town was a significant center for trade and local governance in the West Midlands. During this era, families like the Bonells were often integrated into the local economy through skilled crafts or agricultural management. Their presence in Warwick suggests they were part of a stable community that navigated the social and political shifts of the early Stuart period. Over time, the name became firmly associated with the region, reflecting the steady migration and settlement patterns of families in central England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bonus
Latin term meaning good or virtuous.
This name
BonellA diminutive form indicating a good or pleasant person.
also spelled
Bonnal
Related arms
Brockhurstrecorded with Bonell, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Dugdale, William. The Antiquities of Warwickshire. 1656
Warwickshire County Record Office. Quarter Sessions Records, 1620
Parish of St Mary, Warwick. Parish Registers of St Mary's Church, Warwick. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
