A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fenell family of England.
Reg. 5713 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Gu. a bend erm. betw. two martlets or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Fenell Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Fenell arms are recorded
The Fenell 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 Fenell 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 Fenell Family in England
The surname Fenell has deep roots in the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. During the early seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, and families like the Fenells often played vital roles in the local merchant guilds or parish communities. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic traditions, potentially serving as a descriptive label for individuals who lived near specific types of marshy land or who were known for a particular personal trait. As the family became integrated into the social fabric of Northern England, they contributed to the steady growth of the region through their professional work and civic participation. By settling in a major urban hub like York, the early Fenells were positioned to witness and participate in the significant political and social shifts that defined England during the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fionn
An ancient Gaelic term meaning fair, white, or bright.
This name
FenellA diminutive form indicating a person with fair hair or a bright complexion.
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Archives: Parish Registers of St. Michael le Belfrey, York
Palliser, D.M., Tudor York, 1979
Raine, Angelo, Medieval York: A Topographical Survey Based on Original Sources, 1955
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
