Map of England showing where the Pennell arms are recorded
The Pennell arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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 Pennell 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Pennell Family in England
The surname Pennell is believed to have originated as a descriptive nickname in medieval England, likely derived from the Old French word "panel," which referred to a small piece of cloth or a saddle pad. This suggests that the earliest ancestors bearing the name may have been involved in saddlery, leatherworking, or the textile trade. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Chester. Records indicate that members of the Pennell family were active in this region by 1620, living within a bustling hub of trade and commerce near the Welsh border. As the family grew, they integrated into the local economy of Cheshire, contributing to the development of the area during a period of significant social and political change in England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
panis
Latin word meaning bread
This name
PennellA nickname for a baker or someone who sold bread
also spelled
Pannel
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing. A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames. 1901
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies. Bishop’s Transcripts of Chester St. Oswald. 1620
Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
