A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cotterell family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9376 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 ar. a cross engr. per pale sa. and gu., in the 2nd quarter two escallops, and in the 3rd, one of the third, over all a bend also sa”
HerefordGarnons · Hereford, c. 1620
Where the Cotterell Arms Were Recorded
Hereford
Map of England showing where the Cotterell arms are recorded
The Cotterell arms were recorded in Hereford, c. 1620.
Herefordshire lay on the Welsh border, where land was held in return for military service. Families there were expected to arm and to fight, and a fighting household needed a shield it could be known by.
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 Cotterell 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 Hereford.
Origin & History of the Cotterell Family in England
The surname Cotterell traces its roots to medieval England, where it functioned as a descriptive name for people living in a small cottage or working as a cottar. A cottar was a peasant who held a small amount of land in exchange for labor, making the name a common identifier for those in the lower social tiers of the feudal system. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Herefordshire. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Cotterell family were active in this region, likely involved in the agricultural life that defined the rural landscape of the West Midlands. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local community, transitioning from their modest origins into the documented history of the English countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
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)
“Gu. a chev. betw. three ducal coronets ar”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Cotterell Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Cotterell arms are recorded
The Cotterell arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Cotterell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Cotterell Family in Ireland
The Cotterell family name has a long history in Ireland, with records confirming their presence in Dublin as early as 1645. During this period, the family was part of the shifting social landscape of a city undergoing significant political and religious change. Many families with this name were likely involved in the merchant classes or the administrative life of the capital, as Dublin served as the primary hub for trade and government activity. Over the following decades, members of the family established themselves in various parts of the country, often adapting to the changing economic conditions of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. While the name has roots that stretch back to earlier times in England, its Irish branch became firmly planted in the urban environment of Dublin before spreading into the surrounding provinces. This early settlement helped the family become a part of the local community, where they participated in the daily life and development of the city for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Coterel
A small cottage or hut dwelling.
This name
CotterellDerived from a diminutive of a cottage, referring to a person who lived in a small hut.
also spelled
Cottrell
Cotterill
Related arms
Cottrellvariant spelling
Hartstrongrecorded with Cotterell, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Herefordshire Archives, Hereford Cathedral Archives: Administrative and Estate Records, 1620
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
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
cross symbolChristian faith and service
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
