A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alfrey family of England.
Reg. 4218 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
ostrichWilling obedience and serious thought
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Per fesse sa. and erm, a pale counterchanged, three ostrichs' necks erased ar. gorged with crowns and lines or”
SussexSalehurst · Sussex, c. 1591
Where the Alfrey Arms Were Recorded
Sussex
Map of England showing where the Alfrey arms are recorded
The Alfrey arms were recorded in Sussex, c. 1591.
Sussex had ironworks in its woods and good farmland on its downs. Both made money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names in the heraldic records.
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 Alfrey 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 Sussex.
Origin & History of the Alfrey Family in England
The surname Alfrey is deeply rooted in the history of southern England, with significant evidence placing the family in the county of Sussex by the late sixteenth century. The name is believed to be a variation of the Old English name Aelfred, which translates to "elf counsel" or "wise counselor." During the 1500s, families in rural Sussex often worked as farmers or tradespeople, living in small village communities where they were closely connected to the local parish church. Records from 1591 confirm that the Alfrey name was well-established in this region, suggesting that the family had likely resided there for several generations before appearing in official documents. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the English countryside, contributing to the local economy and the development of their community over many centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aelfraed
Derived from Old English elements meaning elf and counsel.
This name
AlfreyAn English locational or patronymic surname originating from the Old English personal name meaning elf-counsel.
also spelled
Alfry
Alfray
Related arms
Allfreysimilar arms
Blanksimilar arms
Alfrayvariant spelling
Levettrecorded with Alfrey, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Lower, Mark Antony, Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom, 1860
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1591
Sussex Record Society, Sussex Wills at Lewes, 1917
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
ostrichWilling obedience and serious thought
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
ostrichWilling obedience and serious thought
