Map of Wales showing where the Gunnell arms are recorded
The Gunnell arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Wales when the Gunnell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Wales.
Origin & History of the Gunnell Family in Wales
The surname Gunnell is rooted in the linguistic traditions of medieval England and Wales, likely originating as a nickname or a descriptive name derived from Old Norse or Old English personal names. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family established a notable presence in the town of Denbigh, a historic market town in North Wales. Records confirm that members of the Gunnell family were living and working in this area by 1647, a period marked by the aftermath of the English Civil War. During this time, families in Denbigh often lived near the town’s famous castle ruins, which served as a focal point for the local community and regional administration. As the family settled into this Welsh landscape, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the agricultural and mercantile life that defined the region during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gunnhildr
Old Norse elements meaning war and battle.
This name
GunnellA diminutive form derived from the Old Norse name meaning battle-warrior.
also spelled
Gwynell
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic: Interregnum (SP 25)
Denbighshire Archives, Parish Registers of Denbigh (P/20/1)
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Williams, G.J., The History of Denbigh and its Castle, 1956
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
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
