A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cassell family of England.
Reg. 7669 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Lozengy gu. and ar. nine crescents in saltire, alternately counterchanged”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cassell Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cassell arms are recorded
The Cassell 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 Cassell 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 Cassell Family in England
The surname Cassell has deep roots in northern England, with historical evidence placing members of the family in the city of York as early as 1620. The name is generally considered to be locational in origin, likely derived from people who lived near a castle or a fortified settlement. During the seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Cassells were often involved in the local merchant guilds or skilled trades that kept the city running. As the name spread from these northern hubs, it evolved through different spellings based on how local clerks recorded the sound of the name in parish registers. By living in a significant administrative and historical city like York, the early Cassell family was positioned within a society that valued record-keeping, which allows us to trace their presence back through centuries of English history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
castellum
A Latin term referring to a small fort or castle.
This name
CassellA topographic name for someone who lived near a castle or a fortified dwelling.
also spelled
Cassill
Cassall
Cassels
Related arms
Casselsvariant spelling
Cassillvariant 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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
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crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
