Map of Germany showing where the Kell arms are recorded
The Kell arms were recorded in Zwochau Saxe, c. 1765.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Kell 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 Germany.
Origin & History of the Kell Family in Germany
The surname Kell likely originated as a topographical name, referring to individuals who lived near a spring, a well, or a specific water source. In the German language, the term "Kell" or "Kelle" often relates to low-lying land or areas associated with water management. By the middle of the 18th century, the family was well-established in the village of Zwochau, located in the historical region of Saxony. During this period, Zwochau was a small agricultural community where families were deeply tied to the land and the local parish church. The presence of the Kell family in Zwochau by 1765 suggests they were part of the rural population that maintained the region’s traditions and supported the local economy through farming. As members of a village society, they were recorded in church registers that documented births, marriages, and deaths, which served as the primary method for tracking family lineage in the German states at that time.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Or, on a chev. vert betw. a lion pass. in chief and two mullets in base gu. three garbs or”
Irelandc. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Kell arms are recorded
The Kell arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Germany when the Kell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Kell Family in Ireland
The family name Kell has roots in Ireland that stretch back to the mid-seventeenth century, with documented evidence placing members of the family in Dublin by 1645. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political transition, serving as a primary hub for families moving within the Pale or arriving from across the Irish Sea. The surname itself is often linked to localized variations of Gaelic or Old English origins, reflecting the blending of cultures that defined the city at the time. Families named Kell during this era likely navigated the complex social landscape of a growing urban capital, participating in the merchant classes or the administrative life of the city. By establishing a presence in Dublin during the 1640s, these early ancestors became part of the city’s evolving history, helping to shape the demographic fabric of Ireland’s most significant port town during a time of great national change.
Kell Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
kelle
Middle High German word for a ladle or a trowel.
This name
KellAn occupational surname for a person who worked as a mason or a kitchen servant.
also spelled
Kele
Related arms
Kelevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Sächsisches Staatsarchiv, Kirchenbücher der Parochie Zwochau
Landeskirchenarchiv der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Landeskirche Sachsens, Kirchenbuchduplikate der Ephorie Delitzsch
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
