Map of England showing where the Kellan arms are recorded
The Kellan arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1712.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought 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 England in this period.
Anne of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
Anne of Great Britain
1707–1714
Reigning in England when the Kellan 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Kellan Family in England
The surname Kellan is deeply rooted in the southwestern landscape of England, with historical records confirming that families bearing this name were well-established in the county of Devon by 1712. The name likely evolved from ancient Gaelic or Old English origins, often associated with descriptive nicknames or geographical markers that identified a person’s home or trade. During the early eighteenth century, families in Devon were frequently tied to the local agricultural economy, working the rolling hills and coastal terrain that defined the region. As the Kellan family grew, they became part of the local fabric of rural parish life, appearing in church registers and legal documents that tracked births, marriages, and land holdings. This era was a time of significant social change in England, and the Kellans were among the many families who helped shape the identity of their local communities through their daily labor and community involvement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Caol
A Gaelic term meaning slender or narrow.
This name
KellanDerived from an Irish name meaning slender or powerful warrior.
also spelled
Kelande
Kellond
Kellan
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1712
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
