A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alway family of England.
Reg. 8747 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. a fesse betw. three lions ramp. sa. crowned or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Alway Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Alway arms are recorded
The Alway 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 Alway 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 Alway Family in England
The surname Alway is rooted in the linguistic traditions of medieval England, likely originating as a personal name derived from the Old English elements "eald," meaning old, and "wig," meaning war or battle. By the early 17th century, members of the Alway family were firmly established in the historic city of York. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, and families like the Always were often involved in the local merchant guilds or the skilled crafts that defined the city’s economy. Living in a place as ancient as York, these early ancestors would have navigated a society shaped by the lingering influence of the Reformation and the shifting political landscape of the Stuart era. Their presence in the city records of 1620 suggests they were part of a settled community that contributed to the growth and daily life of one of England’s most significant urban centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aethelwig
Old English elements meaning noble and war or battle.
This name
AlwayA patronymic surname derived from a personal name signifying a noble warrior or one victorious in battle.
also spelled
Allwaye
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, 1958
Smith, A.H., The Place-Names of the East Riding of Yorkshire and York, 1937
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
York City Archives, Freemen of the City of York Registers
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
