A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cottrell family of England.
Reg. 3219 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
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)
“Ar. a bend betw. three escallops sa”
MiddlesexHadley · Middlesex, c. 1620
Where the Cottrell Arms Were Recorded
Middlesex
Map of England showing where the Cottrell arms are recorded
The Cottrell arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1620.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Cottrell 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 Cottrell Family in England
The surname Cottrell is rooted in the medieval period and likely originated as a descriptive name for someone who lived in a small cottage or worked as a cotter. A cotter was a peasant who held a small amount of land in exchange for labor, making the name a common identifier for families of modest means in rural England. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in Middlesex, which was a hub of activity near London. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Cottrell family were living in this region during a time of significant social and political change. As the family grew, they integrated into the local economy and community life, eventually spreading across the English countryside and beyond. This history reflects the broader movement of families who transitioned from traditional agricultural roles to more diverse occupations in the growing urban centers of the era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cote
Old English word for a small shelter, hut, or cottage.
This name
CottrellA diminutive form referring to someone who lived in or worked at a small cottage.
also spelled
Cotterell
Coterell
Cottrill
Related arms
Cotterellvariant spelling
Cotterellsvariant spelling
Cardinallrecorded with Cottrell, same area
Corbetrecorded with Cottrell, 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., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Middlesex Sessions 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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
