A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bushell family of England.
Reg. 0098 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
water bougetThe crusader's water carrier, and a journey made
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. on a chev. erm. betw. three water bougets ar. three hurts”
LancasterMyerscough Cottage · Lancaster, c. 1620
Where the Bushell Arms Were Recorded
Lancaster
Map of England showing where the Bushell arms are recorded
The Bushell arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Bushell 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 Bushell Family in England
The surname Bushell is of English origin and is generally considered a topographic or occupational name. It likely stems from the Middle English word "bushel," which was a unit of measurement for dry goods like grain. In medieval times, this name may have been given to a person who worked as a grain merchant or a measurer of crops. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in Lancaster. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Bushell family were active in this region during a period of significant social and economic change in Northern England. As the family settled in the area, they became part of the local fabric of Lancaster, contributing to the community as it transitioned through the Stuart period. Their presence in the historical records of the town suggests they were well-integrated into the local life of the early 1600s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bous
Old French term for a box or a small wooden container.
This name
BushellAn occupational name for a maker or seller of wooden boxes or measures.
also spelled
Busshill
Related arms
Bussell, or Bushellvariant 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
Lancashire Archives, Lancaster Parish Church Registers, PR 3052
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
water bougetThe crusader's water carrier, and a journey made
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
water bougetThe crusader's water carrier, and a journey made
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
