Map of England showing where the Cantrall arms are recorded
The Cantrall 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 Cantrall 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 Cantrall Family in England
The family name Cantrall is believed to have originated in the northern regions of England, where it developed as a locational surname linked to specific geographic features or settlements. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were established in the historic city of Lancaster. During this period, Lancaster served as a vital administrative and commercial hub, which likely provided the family with opportunities to participate in the local trades and civic life of the region. As the family grew, their presence in this area became a foundation for their future migration patterns. The name itself reflects the linguistic shifts common in early modern England, where local dialects often influenced the spelling and pronunciation of family identifiers. Over time, the family moved beyond their initial roots in Lancashire, eventually carrying the name across different regions and into the broader historical narrative of the British Isles.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cantrelle
Old French term for a small singing bird or a chant.
This name
CantrallA topographic or occupational name likely referring to a singer or a dweller near a singing stream.
also spelled
Cantrill
Cantroll
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Farrer, William and Brownbill, John, The Victoria History of the County of Lancaster, 1906
Lancashire Archives, Lancaster Parish Church Registers, PR 3052
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