A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Earl family of England.
Reg. 7607 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 chev. betw. three escallops in chief and a dolphin in base ar. as many trefoils sa. all within a double tressure engr. of the second, the outer bordure or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Earl Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Earl arms are recorded
The Earl 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 Earl 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 Earl Family in England
The surname Earl originates from the Old English word *eorl*, which was a title of nobility denoting a man of high status or a warrior leader. Over time, this term transitioned from a formal rank into a descriptive nickname or a professional name for someone who served in an earl’s household or acted in a manner befitting a nobleman. By the early 17th century, the name had become firmly established as a hereditary surname in Northern England. Records confirm that members of the Earl family were living in York by 1620, a period when the city served as a vital regional hub for trade and administration. These early ancestors likely navigated the social and economic shifts of the Stuart era, contributing to the local community as the name spread from its linguistic roots into a permanent family identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
eorl
Old English term for a man of noble birth or warrior.
This name
EarlA hereditary title of nobility or a status denoting a high-ranking chieftain.
also spelled
Erle
Erll
Related arms
Erlevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate 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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
