Map of Britain showing where the Lovell arms are recorded
The Lovell arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Lovell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Lovell Family in Britain
The name Lovell has deep roots in British history, originating as a descriptive nickname derived from the Old French word "lou," which means wolf. During the medieval period, this name was often given to individuals who displayed wolf-like traits such as strength, cunning, or a fierce nature. By the time the family established a presence in Kent around 1700, the name had already been carried across England for several centuries by various landowners and commoners alike. Many families bearing this name were part of the shifting social landscape of the English countryside, often working as farmers or tradespeople who contributed to the local economy of their parishes. Because surnames became more permanent during the late Middle Ages, the Lovells in Kent were part of a long tradition of families who helped shape the rural identity of southeastern England through generations of community life.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
foxWit and wisdom in defence
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a chev. sa. betw. three foxes' heads erased gu”
EnglandLondon, c. 1563
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 England showing where the Lovell arms are recorded
The Lovell arms were recorded in London, c. 1563.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in Britain when the Lovell 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 England.
Origin & History of the Lovell Family in England
The surname Lovell has deep roots in England, originating as a descriptive nickname derived from the Old French word "lou," meaning wolf. By the time the family was firmly established in London in 1563, the name had already been part of the English social fabric for several centuries. During the medieval period, the name was often associated with individuals who possessed a fierce or wolf-like temperament, a common way to distinguish people before the widespread use of formal surnames. As the family settled into the urban environment of London during the sixteenth century, they became part of a growing class of citizens who navigated the shifting political and economic landscape of the Tudor era. This transition from rural origins to city life reflects the broader movement of families seeking new opportunities in the capital during a time of significant national change.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. three piles sa. surmounted of a fesse wavy gu”
ForfarBallumbie · Forfar, c. 1748
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 Scotland showing where the Lovell arms are recorded
The Lovell arms were recorded in Forfar, c. 1748.
Forfar, now called Angus, was farming country on Scotland's east coast between the hills and the sea. Its landed families were long-settled, and long settlement is exactly what fills a register 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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Britain when the Lovell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Forfar.
Origin & History of the Lovell Family in Scotland
The family name Lovell has deep roots in the history of Scotland, where it emerged as a distinct surname during the medieval period. While the name is of Norman-French origin, it became well-established among the landed families of the Scottish Lowlands over several centuries. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had a notable presence in the town of Forfar, which served as a central hub for legal and agricultural activity in the region of Angus. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Lovell family were active participants in the local community during this era. Their lives in Forfar were likely shaped by the transition of Scotland into a modernizing society, where families of this name often engaged in trade, local governance, and the management of land. This period marked a time of stability for the family as they contributed to the social fabric of the Scottish burghs.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Lupus
Latin word meaning wolf.
This name
LovellA diminutive form meaning little wolf, historically used as a nickname for a person with wolf-like traits.
also spelled
Lovel
Luvell
Loveles
Loveless
Related arms
Lovelvariant spelling
Lovelesvariant spelling
Lovelessvariant spelling
Brucerecorded with Lovell, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, Probate Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1700–1750
Kent History and Library Centre, Parish Registers of Kent, 1700–1800
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
foxWit and wisdom in defence
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
