A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cantell family of Ireland.
Reg. 4446 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. a star of eight points within an orle of five annulets or, a canton erm”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Cantell Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Cantell arms are recorded
The Cantell 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 Cantell 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 Cantell Family in Ireland
The surname Cantell has roots that stretch back to the mid-seventeenth century in Ireland, with documented evidence placing family members in Dublin by 1645. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political transition, and families like the Cantells were often part of the growing urban population involved in commerce or craft. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older occupational or locational surnames, potentially linked to those who lived near a corner or a specific boundary marker. As the family established themselves in the city, they became part of the complex social fabric of seventeenth-century Ireland, navigating the significant historical shifts occurring in the region at that time. By settling in a major port city like Dublin, early members of the family were positioned at the heart of the island’s economic life, which likely helped the name persist through the generations that followed.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cantus
Latin word meaning a song, melody, or singing.
This name
CantellDerived from a topographical or occupational name referring to a singer or someone living near a singing stream.
also spelled
Kantell
Cantill
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey, A.D. 1654–1656
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
Dublin City Library and Archive, Dublin City Council Records, 1640–1650
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
