A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Neil family of England.
Reg. 6664 · English, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
handFaith, sincerity and justice
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, a galley, sails furled and oars in action sa. in chief a dexter hand couped fesseways gu. holding a dagger point downwards az. betw. two crosses crosslet fitchée of the third”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Neil arms are recorded
The Neil 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 Neil 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 Neil Family in England
The surname Neil originates from the Gaelic name Niall, which carries the ancient meaning of champion or cloud. While the name has deep roots in Ireland and Scotland, its presence in England became more established as families migrated across the British Isles. By 1620, records confirm that members of the Neil family were living in York, a city with a long history as a northern hub for trade and administration. During this period, families often settled in urban centers like York to pursue roles in craftsmanship or local commerce. These early ancestors were part of a growing movement of people who helped shape the social and economic life of the city during the early seventeenth century. Their presence in such a historically significant location suggests they were well-integrated into the community as it navigated the changing landscape of Stuart England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Niall
Gaelic term meaning champion or cloud.
This name
NeilDerived from an ancient Irish name signifying a victorious warrior or cloud-like figure.
also spelled
Niel
Niall
Neale
Related arms
Nealevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
Hanks, Patrick and Hodges, Flavia. A Dictionary of Surnames. 1988
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York. Archbishop of York Diocesan Records
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
handFaith, sincerity and justice
cross symbolChristian faith and service
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
handFaith, sincerity and justice
