A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Russell family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 2858 · English, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
What the shield shows
A red background with an ermine band across the middle, white with small black tail marks, carrying three black stars. Three silver swans sit around it.
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gu. on a fess erm. betw. three swans ar. as many mullets sa”
Englandc. 1299
Where the Russell Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Russell arms are recorded
The Russell arms were recorded in England, c. 1299.
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.
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 Russell Family in England
PronunciationRUS-uhl/ˈrʌsəl/
The surname Russell has deep roots in medieval England, emerging as a descriptive nickname during the period when hereditary surnames were first becoming common. The name is derived from the Old French word "roussel," which means red or reddish-brown. It was likely used to identify a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion. Because physical traits were the most common way to distinguish neighbors in small villages, the name spread quickly across different regions of the country.
Historical records confirm the presence of the family in York by the year 1299. At this time, York was a major center of trade and government in Northern England. Families living in such a prominent city were often involved in the merchant class or local administration. By establishing themselves in a hub like York, early members of the Russell family were well-positioned to participate in the economic growth of the late Middle Ages. Over the following centuries, the name became firmly established throughout England as families moved for work, marriage, and land ownership.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
bordureA difference between branches of one family
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
What the shield shows
A silver background with a red lion rearing up. A black strip along the top carries three silver scallop shells, and a black border runs around the edge.
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a lion ramp. gu. on a chief sa. three escallops of the field, a border of the second”
DublinClerk · Dublin, c. 1595
Where the Russell Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Russell arms are recorded
The Russell arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1595.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Russell 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 Dublin.
Origin & History of the Russell Family in Ireland
PronunciationRUS-uhl/ˈrʌsəl/
The surname Russell arrived in Ireland during the medieval period, primarily following the Norman invasion. The name is derived from the Old French word "roussel," which means red or russet. It was originally used as a nickname to describe someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion. Over time, families bearing this name settled in various parts of the country, establishing themselves as landowners and merchants. By the late sixteenth century, the name was well-established in urban centers like Dublin, where members of the family were active in civic and commercial life by 1595.
In the context of early modern Dublin, the Russell family became part of the growing merchant class. During this era, Dublin served as a vital hub for trade between Ireland, England, and the continent. Families like the Russells often held positions of influence within the city walls, participating in local government and the management of guilds. As the seventeenth century approached, the family continued to integrate into the social fabric of the Pale, the area surrounding Dublin that remained under direct English administration. Their presence in the city records from 1595 highlights their role in the evolving landscape of Irish society during a time of significant political and cultural change.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
What the shield shows
A silver background with a chevron across it, and three black lapwings set around it.
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a chev. betw. three pewits sa”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Russell Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Russell arms are recorded
The Russell arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Russell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Russell Family in Scotland
PronunciationRUS-uhl/ˈrʌsəl/
The surname Russell has deep roots in Scotland, where it originated as a nickname. The name comes from the Old French word rous, which means red or red-haired. It was likely used to describe an ancestor who had a distinct reddish complexion or hair color. Over time, this descriptive nickname became a permanent family name that was passed down through generations. By the middle of the 18th century, the family was well-established in urban centers like Edinburgh, where they participated in the growing professional and social life of the city.
Records from 1748 show that members of the Russell family were active residents of Edinburgh during a time of significant change in Scotland. During this era, families with this name were often involved in trade, law, and the expanding academic circles of the Scottish Enlightenment. As the family settled into city life, they became part of the local community structure, contributing to the development of Edinburgh as a hub of commerce and culture. Their presence in the city archives from this period highlights their role as stable, contributing members of Scottish society during the 18th century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rous
A French term meaning red or reddish-colored.
This name
RussellA nickname for someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion.
also spelled
Russel
Russall
Russill
Related arms
Birchallsimilar arms
Birchillsimilar arms
Kempsimilar arms
Rossellvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, Lay Subsidy Rolls for the County of York, 1299
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
bordureA difference between branches of one family
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
