Map of England showing where the Trapnell arms are recorded
The Trapnell arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Trapnell 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 England.
Origin & History of the Trapnell Family in England
The surname Trapnell is believed to have originated in England, where it functioned as a locative name derived from a specific place or settlement. By the early 17th century, members of the Trapnell family were firmly established in the historic city of York, a major center of trade and religion in Northern England. Historical records confirm their presence in this region by 1620, placing them in a city that was then undergoing significant social and economic shifts. During this period, families with this name were likely involved in the local merchant classes or skilled trades that defined York’s urban economy. As they moved through the 17th century, the family became part of the broader migration patterns that saw English surnames spread from regional hubs into the surrounding countryside and eventually across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Trappe
Old English word for a snare or a mechanical device.
This name
TrapnellA topographical name for someone who lived near a snare or a maker of traps.
also spelled
Trapenell
Trapenel
Related arms
Trapenellvariant spelling
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate 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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
