Map of England showing where the Mansell arms are recorded
The Mansell arms were recorded in Gloucester, c. 1620.
Gloucestershire had good farmland, a cloth trade in its valleys and a river carrying goods to Bristol. All three made money, and money bought the estates that brought arms with them.
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 Mansell 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 Gloucester.
Origin & History of the Mansell Family in England
The surname Mansell has deep roots that trace back to the medieval period in England. It is generally considered a locative name, meaning it originally identified someone who came from the region of Le Mans in France. Many individuals carrying this name arrived in England following the Norman Conquest, eventually establishing themselves in various counties across the country. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Mansell family were well-established in the city of Gloucester. During this era, families like the Mansells were often involved in local trade, civic governance, or the management of land. Their presence in Gloucester suggests they were part of the growing merchant and professional classes that helped shape the social and economic life of the region during the early seventeenth century.
Mansell Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mans
Derived from the Latin word for man or person.
This name
MansellAn occupational or locational name referring to someone from the city of Le Mans in France.
also spelled
Maunsell
Maunsel
Related arms
Maunsellvariant spelling
Dabornerecorded with Mansell, same area
Mugge, or Mudgerecorded with Mansell, same area
Parkhurstrecorded with Mansell, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Gloucestershire Archives, Records of the City of Gloucester, GBR/B/2/1
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
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
