A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cordell family of England.
Reg. 3760 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Gu. a chev. engr. betw. three griffins' heads erased erm”
MiddlesexEnfield · Middlesex, c. 1568
Where the Cordell Arms Were Recorded
Middlesex
Map of England showing where the Cordell arms are recorded
The Cordell arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1568.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of arms with it.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Cordell 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 Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Cordell Family in England
The surname Cordell has deep roots in English history, with documented evidence placing the family in the county of Middlesex as early as 1568. The name is generally believed to be of occupational or locational origin, possibly derived from the Old French word "corde," which referred to a maker of ropes or a person who worked with cordage. During the sixteenth century, families with this name were active participants in the social and economic life of the London area. As the family established itself in Middlesex, they became part of the growing merchant and professional classes that defined the era. Over time, the name spread from these initial settlements into other parts of England, reflecting the movement and development of families during the late Tudor period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
corde
Old French word for rope or cord
This name
CordellAn occupational name for a maker or seller of rope or cordage.
also spelled
Cordall
Related arms
Cottonsimilar arms
Cordallvariant spelling
Johnsonrecorded with Cordell, same area
Martinrecorded with Cordell, same area
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. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, Subsidy Rolls for the County of Middlesex, E 179/141/224, 1568
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
