A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Covell family of England.
Reg. 8193 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. a lion ramp. ar. a file of three lambeaux gu. each charged with as many bezants”
EnglandLondon, c. 1620
Where the Covell Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Covell arms are recorded
The Covell 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 Covell 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 Covell Family in England
The family name Covell is believed to have originated in England, likely as a topographic name for someone who lived near a hollow or a small valley. By the early 17th century, the name was firmly established in London, where records show members of the family were active residents by 1620. During this period, London was a bustling center of trade and social change, and families like the Covells were often involved in the city's growing merchant classes or skilled trades. As the family grew, some members eventually looked toward the American colonies for new opportunities, helping to spread the name across the Atlantic. The history of the name reflects the broader patterns of English migration and the development of surnames that describe the landscapes where early ancestors once made their homes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
chauve
Old French term meaning bald or hairless.
This name
CovellA nickname for a person who was bald or had a shorn head.
also spelled
Covill
Related arms
Conollysame arms
Cornceley, Cornsley, or Conolleysame arms
Covillvariant spelling
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, Kew, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
lionCourage, strength and royalty
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
lionCourage, strength and royalty
