Map of Belgium showing where the Monell arms are recorded
The Monell arms were recorded in Tournai, c. 1628.
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 Belgium in this period.
Philip IV of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Philip IV of Spain
1621–1665
Reigning in Belgium when the Monell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Belgium.
Origin & History of the Monell Family in Belgium
The Monell family name has deep roots in the city of Tournai, which is located in present-day Belgium. Historical records confirm that members of the family were living in this region as early as 1628. During the seventeenth century, Tournai was a significant center for trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Monells were often involved in the local merchant guilds or skilled labor sectors that defined the city’s economy. The name itself likely evolved from local dialects spoken in the borderlands between France and the Low Countries. As the region faced frequent political shifts and religious tensions during this period, some members of the family eventually migrated to other parts of Europe and eventually to the Americas, seeking new opportunities while carrying their ancestral name with them. This movement helped the family establish a presence in diverse communities, far from their original home in the historic city of Tournai.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mon
A diminutive suffix or a shortened form of the name Simon.
This name
MonellA patronymic surname derived from a diminutive form of the name Simon, meaning he has heard.
also spelled
Monell
Monelle
Monely
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de l'État à Tournai, Registres paroissiaux de la ville de Tournai, 1628
Pirenne, Henri, Histoire de Belgique, 1902
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
