A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Adly family of England.
Reg. 1672 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gu. on a chev. or, three crosses crosslet sa”
SomersetshireSomersetshire, c. 1620
Where the Adly Arms Were Recorded
Somersetshire
Map of England showing where the Adly arms are recorded
The Adly arms were recorded in Somersetshire, c. 1620.
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 Adly 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 Somersetshire.
Origin & History of the Adly Family in England
The family name Adly has deep roots in the English county of Somersetshire, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, Somersetshire was a region defined by its rich agricultural landscape and its growing trade connections through local ports. Families in this area often lived in small, tight-knit rural communities where they worked as farmers, craftsmen, or local merchants. The name likely evolved from regional dialects or old naming customs common in the West Country, reflecting the way people identified themselves by their trade or their specific village location. As the family grew, these early ancestors helped shape the local culture of the region, leaving behind a legacy that is tied to the history of rural life in southwestern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Adal
A Germanic element meaning noble or nobility.
This name
AdlyDerived from a diminutive form of names beginning with the noble element, signifying noble or honorable.
also spelled
Adleigh
Adlie
Adly
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Somerset Archives, Quarter Sessions Records, 1620
Tite, Charles, Somersetshire Wills, 1902
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
