Map of England showing where the Chisnell arms are recorded
The Chisnell 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 Chisnell 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 Chisnell Family in England
The family name Chisnell is rooted in the historical landscape of Northern England, with documented evidence placing the family in the city of York by the year 1620. During this period, York served as a vital regional hub for trade and administration, suggesting that early members of the family were likely involved in the urban economy or the skilled trades that defined the city’s growth. The name itself likely evolved from a locative origin, potentially referring to a specific piece of land or a small settlement known to local residents. As the family established themselves in York, they became part of the social fabric of a city recovering from the turbulence of the previous century. By settling in such a prominent location, the early Chisnell family members participated in the steady development of English civic life during the early seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Chesenhal
A nook or corner of land belonging to a person named Cese.
This name
ChisnellA habitational name derived from a specific location in Cheshire, England.
also spelled
Chysnall
Chysnal
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward. History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York. 1822
The National Archives. Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, PROB 11
York City Archives. York City House Books, E/Y
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bordureA difference between branches of one family
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bordureA difference between branches of one family
