A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hassal family of England.
Reg. 0285 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Per chev. ar. and or, three pheons sa”
ChesterHassal · Chester, c. 1620
Where the Hassal Arms Were Recorded
Chester
Map of England showing where the Hassal arms are recorded
The Hassal arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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 Hassal 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Hassal Family in England
The surname Hassal originates from a place name in Cheshire, England, specifically the township of Hassall near Sandbach. The name is derived from the Old English words for a witch or a hazel tree combined with a word for a nook or a corner of land. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established a notable presence in the city of Chester, which served as a major regional hub for trade and administration. During this period, the family was integrated into the local urban society, often appearing in city records as merchants or civic officials. Their movement from the rural township of Hassall to the bustling walls of Chester reflects the broader trend of families seeking new economic opportunities in growing English cities during the reign of King James I.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Haesel
Old English term referring to the hazel tree or hazel nut.
This name
HassalA topographic name for someone who lived near a hazel tree or grove.
also spelled
Hasel
Hassell
Related arms
Hassellvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
Mills, Anthony David, A Dictionary of English Place-Names, 2011
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Chester City Assembly Books, 1603–1642
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
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
