A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Camel family of England.
Reg. 6051 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
camelPatience and perseverance under burden
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. (another, az.) a camel pass. ar”
DevonBury Pomeroy · Devon, c. 1620
Where the Camel Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the Camel arms are recorded
The Camel arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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 Camel 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Camel Family in England
The family name Camel has deep roots in the English county of Devon, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a topographical reference, as surnames during this period often evolved from the specific traits, occupations, or locations associated with an individual. In the medieval era, names were frequently recorded phonetically by clerks, which means the spelling often shifted depending on the local dialect of the South West. By the early seventeenth century, the Camel family was part of the growing population of Devon, a region known for its strong agricultural traditions and maritime connections. Living in this coastal area, early ancestors of the family were likely involved in the local farming communities or the bustling trade networks that defined life in the West Country during the reign of King James I.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Camellus
A Latin diminutive form meaning little young animal or foal.
This name
CamelAn occupational or descriptive nickname for a person with camel-like features or a pack-animal driver.
also spelled
Kamell
Camelle
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Gover, J.E.B., Mawer, A., and Stenton, F.M., The Place-Names of Devon, 1931
Hoskins, W.G., Devon, 1954
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, PROB 11
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camelPatience and perseverance under burden
camelPatience and perseverance under burden
