Map of England showing where the Kelsall arms are recorded
The Kelsall 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 Kelsall 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 Kelsall Family in England
The surname Kelsall originates from a small township of the same name located in the county of Cheshire, England. During the medieval period, it was common for families to adopt the name of the place where they lived or held land, and the Kelsall family became firmly established in this region by the early seventeenth century. Records confirm that members of the family were active residents of the historic city of Chester by 1620, where they participated in the local social and economic life of the area. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the administrative and professional circles of Cheshire, often serving in local government roles or managing estates within the county. This deep connection to the landscape of North West England helped define the family identity for generations, anchoring their history to the specific geography and development of the Chester region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ceol
Old English word meaning ship or keel.
This name
KelsallDerived from a place name in Cheshire meaning the nook or corner of the ship.
also spelled
Kelsale
Kelsell
Kelsill
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Croston, James, A History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, 1882
Ormerod, George, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, 1819
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Chester City Guild Records, 1600–1650
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
