A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chappell family of England.
Reg. 5827 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Or, an anchor in pale sa”
EnglandLondon, c. 1620
Where the Chappell Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Chappell arms are recorded
The Chappell arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
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 Chappell 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 Chappell Family in England
The surname Chappell is a locative name, meaning it was originally used to identify people who lived near or worked at a chapel. During the Middle Ages, the word was derived from the Old French term "chapelle," which referred to a small church or a sanctuary housing holy relics. By the time the name became established in London around 1620, it had evolved from a descriptive label into a permanent family identifier. Many individuals bearing this name during the early seventeenth century were likely tradespeople or merchants who settled in the bustling urban center of London to take advantage of the growing economy. These early Chappells were part of a period of significant social movement, as families increasingly moved toward cities to seek new opportunities in commerce and craft. Their presence in the city records of that era highlights the transition of the name from a simple reference to a place of worship into a multi-generational family legacy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
capella
Latin for a small cloak or a small sanctuary.
This name
ChappellAn occupational or locational name for someone who lived near or worked at a small chapel.
also spelled
Chapele
Chappill
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I, 1620
London Metropolitan Archives, City of London Parish Registers, 1620
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anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
