A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alestry family of England.
Reg. 7017 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. on a bend az. three escutcheons of the first on each a chief of the second, a chief gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Alestry Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Alestry arms are recorded
The Alestry 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 Alestry 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 Alestry Family in England
The family name Alestry possesses deep roots in the historic city of York, where members of the lineage were firmly established by the year 1620. During this period, York served as a bustling center of trade and religious life in Northern England, providing a stable environment for families to build their livelihoods. The name itself likely evolved from local dialects or geographic descriptions common to the Yorkshire region, reflecting the way surnames were often adopted based on a person’s trade or their specific neighborhood. As residents of such a significant provincial capital, early members of the Alestry family likely participated in the vibrant civic life of the city, contributing to the local economy and the growth of the community. By maintaining a presence in York during the early seventeenth century, the family became part of the enduring social fabric of a city that was then transitioning through a time of great national change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aethelric
Derived from Old English elements meaning noble and ruler.
This name
AlestryA locational or patronymic variant signifying a descendant of a noble ruler.
also spelled
Alestrie
Alestrey
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward, History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York, 1822
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic: James I, SP 14
York City Archives, York House Books, B34
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