A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Darrell family of England.
Reg. 5482 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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 fesse az. and erm. a pale counterchanged, three lions ramp. ar”
GloucesterGloucester, c. 1620
Where the Darrell Arms Were Recorded
Gloucester
Map of England showing where the Darrell arms are recorded
The Darrell arms were recorded in Gloucester, c. 1620.
Gloucestershire had good farmland, a cloth trade in its valleys and a river carrying goods to Bristol. All three made money, and money bought the estates that brought arms with them.
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 Darrell 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 Gloucester.
Origin & History of the Darrell Family in England
The surname Darrell has deep roots that trace back to the arrival of Norman settlers in England during the eleventh century. The name is derived from the French phrase "d'Airelle," which refers to someone who lived near a place where whortleberries grew. Over many generations, the spelling shifted as the family spread across different regions of the country. By the early seventeenth century, members of the Darrell family were well-established in the port city of Gloucester. These individuals were part of the growing merchant and professional classes who helped shape the local economy and civic life of the region. Their presence in Gloucester by 1620 reflects a period of stability and influence that allowed the family to put down permanent roots in the community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
d'Airelle
Derived from the French place name Airelle meaning huckleberry or bilberry.
This name
DarrellAn English habitational surname denoting someone who originated from Airelle in Normandy.
also spelled
Dairell
Related arms
Crewesimilar arms
O'Mulloysimilar arms
Talbotsimilar arms
Trevorsimilar arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Gloucestershire Archives, Gloucester City Records: Burgess Rolls and Guild 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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
