A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barley family of England.
Reg. 3517 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
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. three hounds sa. a chief per pale erm. and gu”
DerbyshireDerbyshire, c. 1620
Where the Barley Arms Were Recorded
Derbyshire
Map of England showing where the Barley arms are recorded
The Barley arms were recorded in Derbyshire, c. 1620.
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 Barley 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 Derbyshire.
Origin & History of the Barley Family in England
The surname Barley is a locational name, which means it was originally used to identify people by the place where they lived. Historical records confirm that the family was well-established in the county of Derbyshire by the early 17th century. During this period, the name was closely tied to the landscape of the English Midlands, where families often took their surnames from small villages or specific plots of farmland. In the year 1620, members of the Barley family were active participants in the local community life of Derbyshire. The name itself likely derives from Old English terms describing a clearing or a field where barley was grown, suggesting that the earliest ancestors were likely farmers or landowners who lived near these agricultural sites. As the family grew, they became a fixture of the regional history, leaving behind traces in parish registers and local legal documents that track their movement and influence across the countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bere
Old English term for the cereal grain barley.
This name
BarleyA topographic name for someone who lived near a field of barley.
also spelled
Barlee
Barlaie
Related arms
Barlayvariant spelling
Barlevariant spelling
Criolrecorded with Barley, same area
Hiderecorded with Barley, same area
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
Derbyshire Record Office, Quarter Sessions Records, 1620
Cox, J. Charles, Notes on the Churches of Derbyshire, 1877
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
