A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Eeles family of England.
Reg. 0620 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. three eels az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Eeles Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Eeles arms are recorded
The Eeles 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 Eeles 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 Eeles Family in England
The family name Eeles has deep roots in the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religion, and families like the Eeles were often involved in the local craft guilds or the merchant community that defined the city. The name itself is likely a variation of a topographical or occupational surname, possibly derived from the Old English word for the eel, which suggests that early ancestors may have lived near a river or worked in the fishing trade. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Northern England, navigating the significant political and religious shifts that occurred in the region during the Stuart period. By maintaining a presence in such a prominent city, the Eeles family helped build the local history that continues to be studied by researchers today.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aegidius
Derived from the Greek word for a goatskin shield or protection.
This name
EelesA patronymic surname originating from the medieval personal name Giles, signifying a protected individual.
also spelled
Eels
Related arms
Ealesvariant spelling
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. 1823
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains’ Accounts, 1620–1630
York Minster Library, Parish Registers of St. Michael le Belfrey, 1620
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serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
