Map of Wales showing where the Powell arms are recorded
The Powell arms were recorded in Cardigan, c. 1647.
Cardiganshire was west Welsh coastal country of small farms and coastal trade. Its landed families were modest and numerous, and each holding brought its own claim to 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Wales when the Powell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Cardigan.
Origin & History of the Powell Family in Wales
The surname Powell is a classic example of a patronymic name, which means it was formed by taking a father’s first name and adding a prefix. In the Welsh language, the name began as Ap Hywel, which translates to son of Hywel. Over many generations, the initial vowel was dropped and the sounds merged together to create the modern spelling of Powell. By the time the family was firmly established in Cardigan in 1647, the name had become a permanent fixture of the local community. Families in this region often held positions of responsibility within the local government or the church, helping to shape the social landscape of the area. This transition from a descriptive phrase to a fixed family name reflects the broader changes in how people identified themselves as surnames became necessary for legal and tax records across Wales.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Per pale gu. and az. crusily fitchée or, a lion ramp. of the last”
SomersetBruton · Somerset, c. 1584
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Map of England showing where the Powell arms are recorded
The Powell arms were recorded in Somerset, c. 1584.
Somerset was rich farming country with a thick scattering of manor houses. Its gentry were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in Wales when the Powell 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 Somerset.
Origin & History of the Powell Family in England
The surname Powell is a classic example of a name that evolved from a patronymic, which is a name derived from a father’s given name. It originates from the Welsh phrase ap Hywel, meaning son of Hywel. Over many generations of spoken usage, the initial vowel was dropped and the sounds merged, eventually settling into the modern spelling of Powell. While the name is deeply rooted in Welsh heritage, it spread across the border into England as families migrated for trade and land. By 1584, records confirm that members of the Powell family were well-established in the county of Somerset. During this period, families with this name were often involved in local agriculture or the growing wool trade, which was the backbone of the Somerset economy. As these individuals settled into English village life, the name transitioned from a Welsh identifier to a permanent English surname that was passed down through the generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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, two chevronels betw. three lions' gambs erased gu. in the centre chief point a trefoil slipped vert”
CorkBanlahan · Cork, c. 1645
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the Powell arms are recorded
The Powell arms were recorded in Cork, c. 1645.
Cork was the largest county in Ireland, with a great harbour and a wide farming hinterland. Both English settlers and older Irish families held land there, and holding land is what brought a family into the records.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Wales when the Powell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Cork.
Origin & History of the Powell Family in Ireland
The history of the Powell name in Ireland is deeply connected to the movement of people across the Irish Sea during the seventeenth century. While the name itself has roots in Wales as a shortened form of "ap Hywel," meaning son of Hywel, it became firmly established in the Irish landscape through migration and settlement. By 1645, records confirm that members of the Powell family were living in County Cork, a region that served as a major hub for trade and military activity during that turbulent period. These early settlers often integrated into the local economy as farmers, merchants, or soldiers, gradually weaving their family identity into the social fabric of the Munster province. Over time, the name transitioned from being an identifier of foreign origin to a recognized part of the local community, reflecting the broader patterns of cultural exchange that defined Irish history during the mid-1600s.
Powell Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Ap Hywel
Son of Hywel, derived from the Old Welsh name Hywel meaning eminent.
This name
PowellA patronymic surname originating from Wales signifying the son of a prominent or distinguished individual.
also spelled
Powel
Powelle
Powells
Powill
Powall
Related arms
Daviessame arms
Roscrowesame arms
Rugglessame arms
Edwynsimilar arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Morgan, P. and Morgan, T. J., Welsh Surnames, 1985
National Library of Wales, Cardiganshire Quarter Sessions Records, 1647
Rowlands, John and Rowlands, Sheila, The Surnames of Wales, 1996
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
lionCourage, strength and royalty
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
