Map of Spain showing where the Martell arms are recorded
The Martell arms were recorded in Catalonia, c. 1722.
Catalonia lived by sea trade, and its merchant houses were as powerful as its landowners. Both sorts of family took arms, and Barcelona kept records of the houses entitled to bear 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 Spain in this period.
Philip V of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Philip V of Spain
1714–1724
Reigning in Spain when the Martell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Spain
In Spain, a coat of arms was considered a form of property that belonged to the entire family line. These arms were passed down from a father to all his children equally. Younger branches of the family usually kept the original design without needing to add any special marks to distinguish their specific line.
Granting authority
The Cronista Rey de Armas was the official body that regulated and granted coats of arms throughout Spain.
How they got arms
Families often obtained their arms through royal grants or by proving their noble status to the official heraldic authority.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the registers of the Cronista Rey de Armas starting in 1496.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Catalonia.
Origin & History of the Martell Family in Spain
The name Martell has deep roots in the Catalonia region of Spain, where families bearing this surname were well-established by the early 18th century. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the word for a hammer, which often served as a nickname for a person who was strong, persistent, or worked as a blacksmith. During the 1700s, families with this name were active participants in the local economy and social life of northeastern Spain. Many of these early individuals lived in small rural communities or growing towns where they contributed to the agricultural and mercantile development of the area. By 1722, records indicate that the Martell family was already integrated into the regional fabric of Catalonia, living alongside other traditional families who helped shape the local culture and history of the Spanish Mediterranean coast.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
hammerHonest labour, and the smith's craft
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Or, three mallets gu.; another, Ar. a cross engr. betw. four martlets sa.; another, Or, three Danish axes gu”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Martell arms are recorded
The Martell arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them 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 Spain when the Martell 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 Martell Family in England
The name Martell has roots that stretch back to the medieval period, likely originating as a descriptive nickname for a person who possessed a forceful personality or worked as a blacksmith. While the name has deep connections to continental Europe, by the early seventeenth century, it had become firmly established in the northern English city of York. Records from 1620 show that members of the family were living and working within this historic walled city, which served as a major hub for trade and administration at the time. These early residents were part of the growing urban population that helped shape the social and economic life of York during the reign of King James I. By settling in such a prominent location, the family became integrated into the local community, contributing to the city’s long history as a center of commerce and craft.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Martellus
A Latin term meaning a small hammer or mallet.
This name
MartellDerived from a nickname for someone who worked as a blacksmith or was considered forceful.
also spelled
Martel
Martill
Related arms
Martelvariant spelling
Martelsvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Arxiu de la Corona d'Aragó, Cadastre de Catalunya, 1722
Bofarull i Terrades, Manuel, Origen dels noms de lloc de Catalunya, 2002
Moll, Francesc de Borja, Els llinatges catalans, 1959
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
hammerHonest labour, and the smith's craft
hammerHonest labour, and the smith's craft
cross symbolChristian faith and service
