Map of England showing where the Mennell arms are recorded
The Mennell arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 England when the Mennell 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 York.
Origin & History of the Mennell Family in England
The surname Mennell is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Northern England, particularly within the city of York. By the early 17th century, the family was already well-established in this region, as evidenced by records confirming their presence in York by 1620. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the Old French word "mesnil," which referred to a manor house or a small village community. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name were likely people who lived on or managed a specific estate. Over time, as families moved from rural areas into growing urban centers like York, the name evolved into its modern spelling. These early Mennells were part of the fabric of Northern English society during a period of significant social and economic change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
mesnil
Old French term for a country house or a manor farmstead.
This name
MennellA topographic name for someone who lived at or near a manor house or village.
also spelled
Menil
Meynill
Related arms
Menyllsimilar arms
Meynellsimilar arms
Foxrecorded with Mennell, same area
Hollrecorded with Mennell, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
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chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
