Map of England showing where the Popal arms are recorded
The Popal arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 Popal 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 York.
Origin & History of the Popal Family in England
The history of the Popal family name in England is deeply rooted in the city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, and families like the Popals were often involved in the local merchant guilds or skilled crafts that defined the city’s economy. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive term or a nickname that evolved into a permanent surname as record-keeping became more formal in parish registers. Because York served as a major regional hub, the family was positioned at the heart of Northern English life during a time of significant social and political change. By settling in such a prominent urban environment, early generations of the Popal family were part of the foundational growth that shaped the city’s long-standing historical identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Popa
A Slavic term for a priest or father figure.
This name
PopalAn occupational or status-based surname denoting a descendant of a priest.
also spelled
Popel
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Archives: Parish Registers of St. Michael-le-Belfrey, 1620
Raine, Angelo, Mediaeval York: A Topographical Survey Based on Original Sources, 1955
York City Archives, Freemen of the City of York, 1620
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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
