A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Darnell family of England.
Reg. 3777 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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. on a pale engr. or, a lion ramp. az”
DurhamThornley · Durham, c. 1620
Where the Darnell Arms Were Recorded
Durham
Map of England showing where the Darnell arms are recorded
The Darnell arms were recorded in Durham, c. 1620.
Durham was governed by its bishop rather than the crown for most of its history, with its own courts and its own landed class. That separate world produced a tight group of families, nearly all of whom held 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 Darnell 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 Durham.
Origin & History of the Darnell Family in England
The Darnell family name is rooted in the northern regions of England, specifically within the historic county of Durham. By the early seventeenth century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents of this area. The name itself is believed to be locational in origin, likely derived from a place name that combined old descriptive terms for a hidden or secluded valley. As families in this period often identified themselves by the lands they worked or the villages they inhabited, the Darnell name became a way to mark their connection to the rugged landscape of the north. By 1620, the family was integrated into the local community, participating in the social and economic life of Durham during a time of significant transition in English history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dernhall
A hidden or secret nook or corner of land.
This name
DarnellDerived from a place name in Cheshire meaning a secluded or hidden valley.
also spelled
Darnall
Dernell
Related arms
Spearmanrecorded with Darnell, same area
Trolloprecorded with Darnell, 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
Durham County Record Office, Durham Bishopric Estates Records, 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.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
