A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ella family of England.
Reg. 3181 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Sa. a fess dancettée surmounted of three fleurs-de-lis or”
Englandc. 1614
Where the Ella Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Ella arms are recorded
The Ella arms were recorded in England, c. 1614.
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 Ella 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 Ella Family in England
The surname Ella has deep roots in Northern England, with historical records confirming that members of the family were well-established in the city of York by the year 1614. The name is believed to be derived from Old English or Old Norse origins, often linked to the personal name Ælla, which was common among early Anglo-Saxon and Viking settlers in the region. During the seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Ellas were often involved in local commerce or skilled trades. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, contributing to the local community through their work and daily lives. The presence of the name in parish registers and legal documents from this era shows that the family was a stable and recognized part of the city’s population long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ali
A Germanic element meaning all or entirely.
This name
EllaA feminine given name often interpreted as meaning beautiful fairy woman or all-encompassing.
also spelled
Ellah
Elle
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1614
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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
