Map of England showing where the Snelling arms are recorded
The Snelling arms were recorded in Surrey, c. 1620.
Surrey sat just south of London and filled up with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate there was the usual next step, and an estate was the usual reason to take 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 Snelling 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 Surrey.
Origin & History of the Snelling Family in England
The surname Snelling is of ancient English origin, rooted in the descriptive language of the Middle Ages. It is believed to be a patronymic name, which means it was originally derived from the name of a father or ancestor. Etymologists suggest that the name comes from the Old English word "snell," which meant quick, bold, or active. By adding the suffix "ing," the name came to signify the descendants or followers of a person known for their spirited or energetic nature. While the family had established roots across southern England by the early seventeenth century, records confirm their presence in the county of Surrey by 1620. During this period, the Snellings were typically involved in local agriculture and trade, contributing to the steady growth of rural communities in the English countryside. Their transition from a descriptive nickname to a formal family name reflects the broader patterns of how surnames became fixed in English society to help distinguish individuals within growing parishes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Snell
Derived from the Old English word for agile, quick, or bold.
This name
SnellingA patronymic surname indicating the son of a quick or nimble person.
also spelled
Snelinge
Related arms
Blakerrecorded with Snelling, same area
Lesonerecorded with Snelling, same area
Symonsrecorded with Snelling, same area
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
The National Archives, Surrey Quarter Sessions Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
