Map of England showing where the Flavell arms are recorded
The Flavell arms were recorded in Oxford, c. 1620.
Oxfordshire was farming country with the university at its centre, and both produced families of standing. Scholars and lawyers who did well bought manors nearby, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to a coat of 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 Flavell 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 Oxford.
Origin & History of the Flavell Family in England
The surname Flavell is believed to have originated as a descriptive nickname, likely derived from the Old French word "flavel," which referred to a maker or seller of flutes or similar musical instruments. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in Oxford, England. Records from 1620 indicate that members of the Flavell family were active participants in the academic and social life of this university city. During this period, the name was often associated with individuals who held positions of local influence or trade, reflecting the family's integration into the growing urban economy of the time. As the family expanded beyond Oxford, they carried this history of craftsmanship and professional engagement into other parts of the country, helping to solidify the name within the English genealogical landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Flavius
Latin for golden or yellow-haired.
This name
FlavellA locative surname derived from a yellow-colored field or a person with golden hair.
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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Oxfordshire History Centre, Oxford City Council Records: Freemen and Apprenticeship Registers
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury: Will Registers
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
