A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gabell family of England.
Reg. 6344 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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. a chev. and chief vert”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gabell Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gabell arms are recorded
The Gabell 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 Gabell 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 Gabell Family in England
The family name Gabell traces its roots to the historic city of York, where members of the family were firmly established by the year 1620. During this period, York served as a vital center of commerce and administration in Northern England, providing a stable environment for families to build their livelihoods. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older occupational or descriptive surnames common in the region, likely evolving from local dialects spoken in the seventeenth century. As residents of a major urban hub, early Gabells were positioned at the intersection of trade and civic life, participating in the daily routines of a city that was rapidly changing during the early modern era. By maintaining a presence in York, the family became part of the long-standing social fabric of the city, contributing to the local community as it navigated the political and economic shifts of the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gabel
A German or Middle English term for a fork or gable.
This name
GabellAn occupational name for a maker of forks or a topographic name for a dweller near a gable.
also spelled
Gable
Gabill
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, 1822
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
York City Archives, York House Books, 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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
