A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bartley family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0999 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Per pale, first, az. an inescutcheon sa. bordured ar. ; second, ar. a cross flory dimideated”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Bartley Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Bartley arms are recorded
The Bartley arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Bartley arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Bartley Family in Scotland
The surname Bartley has roots that trace back to the rugged landscapes of Scotland, where it emerged as a distinct family identifier. While the name is often associated with broader Anglo-Norman origins, its presence in the Scottish Lowlands became well-established by the mid-eighteenth century. Official records confirm that members of the Bartley family were living and working in Edinburgh by 1748, a time when the city was undergoing significant social and intellectual changes during the Scottish Enlightenment. During this period, families with this name were part of the growing urban population that helped shape the city’s trade and local community life. As the family settled into the capital, they became woven into the fabric of Scottish society, contributing to the local history of a city that was rapidly modernizing. By establishing themselves in Edinburgh during this era, the Bartleys secured a place in the historical narrative of Scotland, transitioning from their earlier regional roots into the bustling heart of the nation.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 bars gu”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Bartley Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Bartley arms are recorded
The Bartley 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 Scotland when the Bartley 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 Bartley Family in Ireland
The Bartley family name has deep roots in Ireland, with historical evidence confirming their presence in Dublin as early as 1645. The name is generally considered an anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Parthaláin, which translates to the son of Bartholomew. During the seventeenth century, many families in Ireland began adapting their traditional Gaelic surnames to better fit the English language, which was becoming the dominant tongue in administrative and legal circles. By the time the Bartley name appeared in Dublin records, the family was likely navigating the complex social and political shifts occurring in the city. As urban centers like Dublin expanded, families with this name became part of the growing merchant and artisan classes that defined the capital’s development. Their presence in the city during this period suggests they were integrated into the local economy and the evolving cultural landscape of seventeenth-century Ireland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bartholomaeus
Aramaic name meaning son of Talmai or son of the furrows.
This name
BartleyDerived from a meadow or clearing belonging to a person named Bartholomew.
also spelled
Bartlie
Bartly
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Register of Marriages, 1701–1750 (OPR 685/1)
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Register of Baptisms, 1740–1750 (OPR 685/1)
Black, George Fraser, The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
