A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alley family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1880 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Az. a pale erm. betw. two lions ramp. of the second, ducally crowned or”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Alley Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Alley arms are recorded
The Alley arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Alley arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Alley Family in Ireland
The history of the Alley family in Ireland is deeply connected to the social and political shifts of the seventeenth century. By 1645, records confirm that members of the family were established in Dublin, a city that served as the primary hub for administration and trade during a period of significant upheaval. The name itself is thought to have roots in older English or Norman traditions, likely arriving in Ireland as part of the broader migration patterns of the era. These early residents were part of a growing urban class that navigated the complex legal and economic landscape of the time. As they settled into the capital, the family became integrated into the local community, contributing to the development of Dublin as a center for commerce and civic life. Their presence in the city during the mid-1600s suggests they were well-positioned to participate in the changing structures of Irish society as the century progressed.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bordureA difference between branches of one family
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. a cross engr. within a bordure ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Alley Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Alley arms are recorded
The Alley 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 Ireland when the Alley 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 Alley Family in England
The surname Alley has deep roots in the English landscape, often serving as a topographic name for families who lived near a narrow passage or a town lane. By the early 17th century, the name was firmly established in northern England, with records confirming that members of the Alley family were active residents of York by 1620. During this era, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families with this name likely participated in the local merchant guilds or the agricultural economy of the surrounding countryside. Because surnames were still evolving in their spelling during this period, the name was sometimes recorded in variations such as Ally or Aley. These early ancestors were part of a growing middle class that helped shape the social and economic fabric of Yorkshire before many families began to expand their reach across the British Isles and eventually toward the American colonies.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aille
An Irish word meaning beautiful or comely.
This name
AlleyA topographical name for someone who lived near a cliff or a descendant of a beautiful person.
also spelled
Allye
Related arms
Alie, or Allyvariant spelling
Allyevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin. 1654–1656
National Library of Ireland, Genealogical Office Manuscripts
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paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bordureA difference between branches of one family
