Map of England showing where the Mitchel arms are recorded
The Mitchel arms were recorded in Cornwall, c. 1620.
Cornwall was a county apart, with its own language and its own tight-knit gentry. Tin and the sea made money there, and families who made it bought land, which is what brought arms with it.
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 Mitchel 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 Cornwall.
Origin & History of the Mitchel Family in England
The surname Mitchel is a variation of the name Michael, which traces its roots back to the Hebrew name Mikha'el, meaning "who is like God." In England, the name became popular following the Norman Conquest, as it was associated with the archangel Michael and frequently used in religious contexts. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the rugged landscape of Cornwall. During this period, the region was a center for tin mining and maritime trade, and families like the Mitchels often played vital roles in these local industries. Living in Cornwall in 1620 placed the family in a unique cultural setting, as the area maintained distinct traditions and a strong sense of regional identity separate from the rest of England. Over time, the spelling of the name evolved from early medieval forms into the version recognized today, reflecting the way English surnames shifted as they were passed down through generations of families living in rural communities.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Sa. a fesse wavy betw. three mascles or”
AberdeenTillygreig · Aberdeen, c. 1672
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Map of Scotland showing where the Mitchel arms are recorded
The Mitchel arms were recorded in Aberdeen, c. 1672.
Aberdeen was a granite trading town on the north-east coast with farming country behind it. Merchants who prospered bought estates inland, and buying an estate was what brought a family its 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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in England when the Mitchel 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 Aberdeen.
Origin & History of the Mitchel Family in Scotland
The name Mitchel has deep roots in Scotland, where it evolved as a variation of the name Michael. By the late seventeenth century, the family was firmly established in the coastal city of Aberdeen. Records from 1672 confirm their presence in this bustling trade hub, where members of the family were likely involved in the local merchant guilds or the skilled crafts that defined the city’s economy. During this period, Aberdeen served as a vital center for education and commerce, and families like the Mitchels often played active roles in the civic life of the burgh. As the name spread from these urban centers into the surrounding countryside, it became a common fixture in Scottish parish registers. The history of the name reflects the broader movement of families who helped shape the social and professional landscape of northeastern Scotland during the transition into the modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 trefoils slipped chevronways vert within two chevronels betw. as many mascles az”
CorkCork, c. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Mitchel arms are recorded
The Mitchel arms were recorded in Cork, c. 1645.
Cork was the largest county in Ireland, with a great harbour and a wide farming hinterland. Both English settlers and older Irish families held land there, and holding land is what brought a family into the records.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Mitchel arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Cork.
Origin & History of the Mitchel Family in Ireland
The name Mitchel is a variation of the name Michael, which traces its roots back to the Hebrew language and eventually spread across Europe through religious traditions. By the time the name became established in Ireland, it was often associated with families who settled in the southern regions of the country. Historical records confirm that members of the Mitchel family were living in County Cork by 1645. During this period, Ireland was experiencing significant political and social upheaval, and families like the Mitchels were often involved in the local agricultural and civic life of the province of Munster. As the name became more common in Ireland, it evolved through different spellings, eventually becoming a distinct part of the regional identity in Cork. These early settlers helped shape the local community, and their presence in the mid-17th century marks a key point in the family history within the Irish landscape.
Mitchel Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mikha'el
Hebrew for who is like God
This name
MitchelAn English patronymic surname derived from the given name Michael meaning who is like God
also spelled
Mychell
Mychel
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
Cornwall Archives, Parish Registers of Cornwall, 1620
Hanks, Patrick, Dictionary of American Family Names, 2003
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
