Wells Coat of Arms & Family Crest
Where the Wells name began, what it means, and where it was first recorded.
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Origin of the Wells name
Wells is a topographic name for someone who lived near a spring or stream, from Old English wella, or a habitational name from places named for their springs, such as Wells in Somerset, the cathedral city, or Wells-next-the-Sea in Norfolk. In medieval records it often appears with a preposition, as atte Welle, before settling into the plural form. The name is common throughout southern and eastern England.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Wells name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Wells name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Australia and Canada; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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Your full Wells pack adds the researched history, early records and migration. Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Wells coat of arms for you.
Wells name FAQ
What does the Wells name mean?
Dweller by the springs. Common variants include Well, Welles, Atwell.
Where does the Wells surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Australia and Canada.
Is there a Wells coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Wells crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Wells coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.