Map of France showing where the Mello arms are recorded
The Mello arms were recorded in Picardie, c. 1663.
Picardie lay on the northern road into France and saw armies pass through it repeatedly. Its landowners were soldiers as often as farmers, and a soldier needed a shield he could be recognised by.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Mello arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Picardie.
Origin & History of the Mello Family in France
The family name Mello has deep roots in the northern French region of Picardie, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, this area was a landscape defined by small rural communities and the influence of local landholders. Families in Picardie often took their names from the specific villages or geographical features where they resided, suggesting that the Mello name likely originated as a way to identify people based on their local home. As the family established themselves in this region, they became part of the agricultural and social fabric of northern France. Over time, the name persisted through generations of farmers and tradespeople who helped shape the local culture of the Picardie countryside. By remaining in this specific area, the early members of the family contributed to the long-term history of the region before the name eventually spread to other parts of the world.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. three boars' heads erased in bend ar”
Englandc. 1620
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 Mello arms are recorded
The Mello 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 France when the Mello 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 Mello Family in England
The history of the Mello name in England begins with a small but notable presence in the city of York during the early seventeenth century. By 1620, records indicate that members of the family were already established within this historic northern hub, a time when York served as a vital center for trade and religious administration. While the name is often associated with Portuguese or Italian roots, its appearance in Yorkshire suggests that these early settlers were likely integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes of the period. Life in York at this time was defined by the city's medieval layout and its role as a gateway to the north, providing a stable environment for families to build their livelihoods. These early Mello ancestors lived through a transformative era in English history, navigating the social and economic shifts that occurred just before the outbreak of the English Civil War. Their presence in the city archives serves as a testament to the family's long-standing connection to the region and their role in the diverse tapestry of seventeenth-century English life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mel
A Latin term referring to honey or a sweet substance.
This name
MelloDerived from a locative surname indicating someone who lived near a honey-producing area or farm.
also spelled
Melo
Mellow
Mellou
Related arms
Haye-Passavantsame arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Somme, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Boulanger, Jacques, Histoire de la Picardie, 1925
Lottin, Alain, Histoire des provinces françaises du Nord, 1989
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
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
