A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gell family of England.
Reg. 5986 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Az. on a bend engr. betw. two lions' heads erased or, three cinquefoils gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gell Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gell arms are recorded
The Gell 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 Gell 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 Gell Family in England
The surname Gell is believed to have originated as a shortened form of the medieval name Geoffrey, which was a popular choice across England during the Middle Ages. By the early 17th century, members of the Gell family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that by 1620, the family was well-integrated into the local community, likely participating in the city’s bustling trade and civic life. During this period, York served as a major northern hub for commerce and politics, providing a stable environment for families to grow and leave a lasting mark on local history. As the name evolved from its roots as a nickname into a formal family identifier, it became a fixture of the regional landscape, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and identity formation that defined English society at the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gell
A medieval pet form of the Germanic name Geoffrey or Gilbert.
This name
GellDerived as a diminutive nickname for individuals named Geoffrey, meaning pledge of peace.
Related arms
Eliothrecorded with Gell, same area
Everardrecorded with Gell, same area
Fullwoodrecorded with Gell, same area
Kaynesrecorded with Gell, same area
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York, Archbishop of York’s Diocesan Records, 1620
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cinquefoilHope and joy
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cinquefoilHope and joy
