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A Haskell's Coat of Arms(??)

An alleged Coat of Arms for William Haskell, husband of Mary Tybbot.

The Source for this Coat of Arms and the accompanying story is Americana Illustrated, Volume 21 No. 3, a publication of the American Historical Society, Third Quarter, 1927. The accuracy of this information is left to your discretion, bear in mind that this image is not listed in the records of the College of Arms in London, England, the official registrar of such things, so it's validity is very much in doubt, but it is still a beautiful image and a quite entertaining story. Similar Haskell "coats of arms" have been listed in Edmonson's Heraldry(1730); Berry's Heraldry(1825); Robson's British Heraldry(1830); and Burke's General Armoury of England, Scotland and Wales(1878), all without approval of the College of Arms. For more information about Coats of Arms and their meanings, visit the College of Arms or The American College of Heraldry.

Haskell and Allied Families By Herbert A. Hull, St. Louis, Missouri. The surname Haskell meaning "the marsh" is variously spelled Hascal, Haskill, Hascol, Haskall, etc., and is according to some authorities of Welsh origin, but other authorities trace the patronymic as well as the family to Norman sources. The family is said to be descended from a companion of William the Conqueror, and to be of Norman-French stock. That the family is one anciently distinguished is evidenced by the fact that it is an armigerous family and that legend traces the origin of the crest to a definite incident which is said to have occurred at the battle of Hastings. The legend is this: at the battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror, being faint from the lack of food, saw in the distance, near the lines of Harold, an apple tree in fruit. Expressing the belief that some of the apples would revive him until the fortunes of the day should be decided, one of his attendant knights, Roger de Haskell by name, dashed forward amid a shower of the enemy's arrows and brought to his sovereign a scarf filled with the fruit, whereupon the Conqueror bade him bear as his crest a fruit-bearing apple tree pierced by a flying arrow. The arrow seems to have disappeared, but the apple-tree remains as a reminder to posterity of the courage of an early progenitor. The coat-of-arms blazoned herewith is as recorded by Burke for Haskell. Burke does not record the motto, but this coat-of-arms, with the motto, is recorded by Matthews in his "American Armoury and Blue Book" for descendants of William Haskell, mentioned below. Whatever doubt may be cast upon the facts of the legend first related, it is certain that another Roger Haskell, born in England, accompanied his brother, William, of whom further, and Mark, to the New World. Arms-Vairé argent and sable. Crest-On a mount an apple tree fructed proper. Motto-Vincit Veritas. (Truth Conquers)

The article goes on to talk about William's move to the colonies, marriage to Mary Tybott and his life as a mariner and public figure and follows the family line of his son William(b. 26 Aug 1644). Click here to read the full article. The article also contains some genealogical information you might find of interest, so check your local library for it.

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If you're interested in the Haskell surname you may want to consider membership in the Haskell Family Association, a non-profit group dedicated to research of the Haskell surname, membership is relatively inexpensive and they offer a quarterly newsletter.

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