Map of England showing where the Kellet arms are recorded
The Kellet arms were recorded in Surrey, c. 1620.
Surrey sat just south of London and filled up with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate there was the usual next step, and an estate was the usual reason to take 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 Kellet 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 Surrey.
Origin & History of the Kellet Family in England
The family name Kellet is rooted in the landscape of Northern England, where it originated as a locational surname derived from the Old Norse word "kelda," meaning a spring or fountain. While the name is most strongly associated with the villages of Over Kellet and Nether Kellet in Lancashire, families bearing the name gradually migrated throughout the country as trade and social mobility increased. By the early 17th century, the name had established a presence in the southern county of Surrey. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Kellet family were settled in this region, likely drawn to the area by the expanding economic opportunities near London. This transition from the rural north to the more urbanized south reflects the broader patterns of internal migration during the Stuart period, as families sought new livelihoods in the administrative and commercial heart of England.
Meaning of the Kellet family crest colors & symbols
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Vert a saltire ar. in chief a cinquefoil or”
Irelandc. 1645
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the Kellet arms are recorded
The Kellet 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 England when the Kellet 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 Kellet Family in Ireland
The Kellet family name has roots that stretch back to the mid-seventeenth century in Ireland, with documented evidence placing members of the family in Dublin by 1645. During this period, Ireland was undergoing significant political and social upheaval, which often influenced the movement and settlement patterns of families within the city. The name itself is thought to have originated from Old Norse or Old English roots, likely referring to a specific rocky hill or a steep slope in the landscape. As the family established themselves in Dublin, they became part of the urban fabric of a city that was rapidly changing due to trade and shifting colonial influence. Over the following generations, the family integrated into the local community, transitioning from their early presence in the capital to establishing connections in other parts of the country. By studying these early records, historians can see how the Kellet name became a part of the broader story of migration and settlement in Ireland.
Kellet Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Ketill
Old Norse word for a sacrificial cauldron or helmet.
This name
KelletDerived from a place name meaning a cauldron-shaped valley or a settlement belonging to Ketill.
also spelled
Kelit
Kellot
Kelat
Related arms
Ingilbyrecorded with Kellet, same area
Inglebyrecorded with Kellet, same area
Kelseyrecorded with Kellet, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
Surrey History Centre, Parish Register Transcripts, 1620
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
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cinquefoilHope and joy
