A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Capell family of England.
Reg. 1952 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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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. a chev. counter-embattled ar”
KentKent, c. 1620
Where the Capell Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Capell arms are recorded
The Capell arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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 Capell 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Capell Family in England
The surname Capell is rooted in the medieval period and likely originated as a topographical or occupational name. It is derived from the Old French word "capele," which refers to a small chapel or a hooded cloak. Early family members were often associated with those who lived near a local chapel or perhaps those who crafted specific types of headwear. By the year 1620, records confirm that the Capell family had established a firm presence in the county of Kent. During this time, families in Kent were often involved in the thriving agricultural and maritime trades that defined the region. The family name gradually spread across southern England as members sought new opportunities in farming and local governance. This migration pattern reflects the broader movement of families who helped shape the social and economic landscape of the English countryside during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cappa
A Latin term referring to a hooded cloak or cape.
This name
CapellAn occupational name for a maker of cloaks or a person who wore a distinctive hood.
also spelled
Caple
Capill
Related arms
Caplesvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury Wills, 1620
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