Map of England showing where the Mitchell arms are recorded
The Mitchell 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 Mitchell 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 Mitchell Family in England
The surname Mitchell has deep roots in England, evolving primarily as a variation of the name Michael. During the Middle Ages, it was common for people to adopt the names of saints as their own, and this practice helped the name spread across the British Isles. By the time members of the family were documented in Cornwall in 1620, the name was already well-established in various regions of the country. Many families with this name were involved in agriculture or local trade, living in small village communities where they contributed to the growth of their local parishes. Over several centuries, the spelling shifted from early forms like Michel to the modern version we recognize today. This transition reflects the way language changed as people moved between different counties and interacted with new neighbors. The presence of the family in Cornwall during the early seventeenth century highlights their long-standing connection to the social and economic life of the English countryside.
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 Mitchell arms are recorded
The Mitchell 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 Mitchell 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 Mitchell Family in Scotland
The surname Mitchell is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Michael. In Scotland, the name became well established by the seventeenth century, with significant records placing family members in the city of Aberdeen by 1672. During this period, Aberdeen was a bustling center of trade and education, and families with the Mitchell name were often involved in the merchant class or local civic life. Because the name was linked to a common given name, it appeared independently in various regions across the country as different families adopted it to describe their lineage. Over time, these early settlers in the northeast of Scotland helped solidify the name as a permanent fixture of the local community, contributing to the growth and development of the region through their work and social connections.
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 Mitchell arms are recorded
The Mitchell 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 Mitchell 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 Mitchell Family in Ireland
The surname Mitchell has a long and complex history in Ireland, often serving as an anglicized version of native Gaelic names like Mac Giolla Mhichíl, which translates to son of the follower of Saint Michael. By the year 1645, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in County Cork. During this period, Ireland was undergoing significant political and social upheaval, which often influenced how families settled and moved across the landscape. Many people with this name were likely tenant farmers or tradespeople who played vital roles in the local economy of the Munster region. Over time, the name became deeply integrated into the social fabric of Cork, reflecting a blend of both indigenous Irish heritage and the influence of later settlers who arrived from Britain. This combination of roots helped the Mitchell family maintain a steady presence in the area through centuries of changing laws and land ownership.
Mitchell Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Michael
A Hebrew name meaning who is like God.
This name
MitchellA patronymic surname derived from the given name meaning son of Michael.
also spelled
Mychell
Mychel
Related arms
Mychellvariant spelling
Borthwickrecorded with Mitchell, same area
Brownerecorded with Mitchell, same area
Cockrecorded with Mitchell, 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
Cornwall Archives, Parish Registers of Cornwall, 1620
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
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
