A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cruell family of England.
Reg. 7654 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Per chev. az. and gu. three eagles ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cruell Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cruell arms are recorded
The Cruell 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 Cruell 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 Cruell Family in England
The family name Cruell carries a history deeply rooted in the northern regions of England. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents of York. During this period, York served as a vital center for trade and administration, suggesting that early ancestors were likely involved in the local urban economy or the bustling merchant life of the city. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname, a common practice in medieval England used to identify individuals based on their temperament or physical traits. As these families settled into the community, they became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, contributing to the growth and development of the region during the early seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Crudelis
Latin term meaning cruel, harsh, or unmerciful.
This name
CruellA descriptive nickname for a person with a severe, stern, or harsh disposition.
also spelled
Cruill
Related arms
Crewellvariant 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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
