A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Allestrey family of England.
Reg. 7064 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
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. a bend az. betw. three escutcheons gu. each charged with a fesse of the first, a chief of the second”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Allestrey Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Allestrey arms are recorded
The Allestrey 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 Allestrey 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 Allestrey Family in England
The Allestrey family name is rooted in the geography of medieval England, likely originating as a topographic surname for people who lived near an alder tree or a grove of alders. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Allestrey family were active participants in the civic and social life of this historic northern hub. During this period, families in York often played vital roles in the local merchant guilds and city administration. The transition of the name from a simple description of a person’s home to a recognized family identifier reflects the broader patterns of surname development in northern England. As the family grew, they became integrated into the urban fabric of York, contributing to the professional and economic landscape of the city during the reign of King James I.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aethelric
Noble ruler or noble king derived from Old English elements.
This name
AllestreyDerived from a place name meaning the clearing or farmstead belonging to Aethelric.
also spelled
Allestry
Allestree
Related arms
Allestryvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
Hey, David, Family Names and Family History, 2000
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York City Archives: House Books of the Corporation of York
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
