Map of England showing where the Moyal arms are recorded
The Moyal 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 England when the Moyal 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 Moyal Family in England
The Moyal family name carries a history that stretches back several centuries, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the city of York as early as 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious transition, and families living there were often deeply integrated into the local merchant or craft guilds that defined the city’s economy. While the name itself may have roots in older linguistic traditions, its presence in Northern England suggests that the family was well-established within the social fabric of the region by the early seventeenth century. These early ancestors likely navigated the challenges of a changing England, contributing to the local community through their work and civic involvement. By tracing the family to this specific time and place, we gain a glimpse into a lineage that has persisted through generations of English history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Moy
A Gaelic term referring to a plain or a level field.
This name
MoyalA topographical surname denoting someone who resided near a plain or open field.
also spelled
Myell
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward, History, Directory, and Gazetteer of the County of York, 1822
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Drake, Francis, Eboracum: or the History and Antiquities of the City of York, 1736
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
helmetWisdom and security in defence
millrind / fer de molineThe mill's iron, and the grinding of grain
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
helmetWisdom and security in defence
millrind / fer de molineThe mill's iron, and the grinding of grain
