Map of England showing where the Royal arms are recorded
The Royal arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Royal 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Royal Family in England
The surname Royal has deep roots in the English county of Kent, where records confirm family members were established as early as 1620. The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname for a person who possessed a regal or dignified manner, or perhaps for someone who served in a royal household. During the seventeenth century, Kent was a bustling region shaped by its proximity to London and its role as a gateway to the European continent. Families in this area often worked in agriculture or local trade, contributing to the steady growth of the region’s economy. As the Royal family settled into their community, they became part of the long history of English village life, where names were often passed down through generations to preserve a sense of identity and connection to their local roots.
Royal Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Regalis
Latin term meaning kingly or pertaining to a monarch.
This name
RoyalA locative or occupational name for someone who served in the royal household or lived on royal land.
also spelled
Royll
Roile
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
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry of Canterbury Wills and Administrations, 1620–1650
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
