A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gorrell family of Germany.
Reg. 4569 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à deux fasces d'arg., acc. en chef d'une étoile d'or accostée de deux fleurs-de-lis du même, entre les fasces de trois fleurs-de-lis rangées d'or, et en p. de deux fleurs-de-lis accostées d'or. Cq. cour. C.: une étoile d'or; entre un vol, coupé alt. de gu. et d'arg.”
MecklenburgMecklenburg, c. 1777
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Map of Germany showing where the Gorrell arms are recorded
The Gorrell arms were recorded in Mecklenburg, c. 1777.
Mecklenburg was farming country in the north of Germany, held by a small number of families who kept their estates for generations. Owning land was what entitled a family to arms, so a great many Mecklenburg names ended up in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Gorrell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Mecklenburg.
Origin & History of the Gorrell Family in Germany
The Gorrell family name has roots that trace back to the British Isles, specifically appearing in records across Ireland and Scotland before members of the family migrated to the American colonies. By the time of the American Revolution, the family had established a notable presence in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. In 1777, these early settlers were active participants in the development of the region during a period of intense political and social change. Many families with this name were part of the wave of Scots-Irish immigrants who moved into the backcountry of the Carolinas to seek new opportunities and land. These pioneers were often farmers and community leaders who helped shape the early infrastructure and local governance of the Mecklenburg area. Their presence in the region during the late eighteenth century highlights their role in the westward expansion and the establishment of stable communities during the formative years of the United States.
Gorrell Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Gero
Derived from the Germanic word for spear.
This name
GorrellA patronymic surname meaning son of the spear-wielder or descendant of Gero.
also spelled
Grel
Grele
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Leyburn, James G., The Scotch-Irish: A Social History, 1962
Meyer, Duane, The Highland Scots of North Carolina, 1732-1776, 1961
North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Mecklenburg County Tax Lists, 1777
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
