Map of England showing where the Wardell arms are recorded
The Wardell arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1584.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 England when the Wardell 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Wardell Family in England
The surname Wardell is an English locational name that likely originated from individuals living near a specific landmark or settlement. By the late sixteenth century, the family had established a clear presence in the county of Norfolk, as evidenced by records from 1584. During this period, the name was often associated with people who lived near a "ward-hill" or a protected enclosure, which served as a lookout point or a defensive site in the landscape. As people began to move away from their original homes to find work or land, they often kept their place of origin as a way to identify themselves to others. This practice helped the name spread from small rural communities into the growing towns of East Anglia. Over time, the spelling of the name evolved through various regional dialects, but the core identity of the family remained rooted in the history of the Norfolk countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Weard-hyll
Old English for guardian or watchman combined with a hill.
This name
WardellA topographic name for someone who lived near a watch hill or a guarded lookout point.
also spelled
Wardall
Wardill
Wardale
Related arms
Wardallvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P. H. and Wilson, R. M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Norfolk Record Office, Parish Register Transcripts for Norfolk, 1584
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
