A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Carvell family of England.
Reg. 0909 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Quarterly, or and vert, in the first and fourth quarter a tower triple-towered sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Carvell Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Carvell arms are recorded
The Carvell arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Carvell 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 England.
Origin & History of the Carvell Family in England
The surname Carvell is rooted in the historical landscape of Northern England, with documented evidence placing the family in the city of York as early as 1620. The name is generally considered to be a locational or topographical surname, likely derived from an old place name or a specific feature of the landscape where the earliest ancestors resided. During the early 17th century, York served as a vital hub for trade and administration, meaning that families living there were often involved in the city’s growing merchant class or craft guilds. By establishing themselves in such a prominent urban center, the Carvell family became part of the social and economic fabric of Yorkshire during a period of significant national change. Over the following generations, the name spread from these northern roots as family members moved to pursue new opportunities in other parts of the country and eventually overseas.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Caravelle
A small, fast sailing ship used by Portuguese explorers.
This name
CarvellAn occupational name for a sailor or someone who worked on ships.
also spelled
Carvill
Carvile
Related arms
Carvilevariant spelling
Carvillvariant spelling
Karvellvariant 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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Kew, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384–1858
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
