Map of England showing where the Devoll arms are recorded
The Devoll 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 Devoll 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 Devoll Family in England
The family name Devoll traces its roots to the historic city of York, where members of the family were firmly established by the year 1620. During this period, York served as a vital center of commerce and administration in Northern England, placing the family at the heart of a region undergoing significant social and religious change. The name itself likely evolved from a locative origin, meaning it was used to identify individuals based on the specific place or community where they resided. As the seventeenth century progressed, the family name became more distinct within local parish records, reflecting the growth and movement of the population during the early Stuart era. By maintaining a presence in such a prominent northern hub, the early Devolls were part of a long tradition of families who helped shape the civic and social landscape of the city before many eventually sought new opportunities across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
De Vulle
Old French term referring to a valley or hollow land.
This name
DevollA topographical surname for someone who lived in or near a valley.
also spelled
Devile
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward, History, Directory, and Gazetteer, of the County of York, 1822
Drake, Francis, Eboracum: or the History and Antiquities of the City of York, 1736
The National Archives, Parish registers for the city of York, 1538–1837
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
bordureA difference between branches of one family
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bordureA difference between branches of one family
