A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Atherley family of England.
Reg. 2165 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 betw. two lions' heads erased sa. three crosses formée or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Atherley Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Atherley arms are recorded
The Atherley 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 Atherley 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 Atherley Family in England
The surname Atherley is rooted in the landscape of northern England, with historical evidence placing members of the family in the city of York as early as 1620. The name itself is topographical in origin, likely derived from Old English words describing a clearing or a meadow near a specific landmark. During the seventeenth century, families in York often lived near the city walls or within the bustling merchant districts surrounding the Minster. As the Atherley name became established in this region, the family likely participated in the local trade guilds that defined the city’s economy. By settling in such a significant historical center, these early ancestors were part of a community that balanced traditional agricultural roots with the growing influence of urban commerce. Over time, the family name spread from these northern origins, reflecting the movement of people across the English countryside during the centuries that followed.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aethel-leah
Noble wood or clearing
This name
AtherleyDerived from an Old English habitational name referring to a noble person's woodland clearing.
also spelled
Atherleigh
Atherlie
Atherlay
Related arms
Adderleysimilar arms
Hardeleysimilar arms
Rigeley, or Ridleysimilar arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
