A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Atley family of England.
Reg. 9293 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
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 crescents sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Atley Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Atley arms are recorded
The Atley 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 Atley 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 Atley Family in England
The surname Atley is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, functioning as a topographic name for someone who lived near a meadow or a pasture. The name derives from the Old English words "at" and "leah," which together describe a person dwelling at a woodland clearing. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Atley family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, suggesting that these early ancestors were likely involved in the local merchant guilds or the skilled craft industries that defined the city’s economy. As the family navigated life in this historic walled city, they contributed to the local community through their work and social ties, helping to cement the name within the regional history of Yorkshire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Atte Lea
Middle English phrase meaning at the meadow or clearing.
This name
AtleyA topographic surname for someone who resided near a meadow or woodland clearing.
also spelled
Atlee
Atlay
Related arms
Atlayvariant spelling
Atleevariant spelling
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, Percy Hide, 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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
