A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bayley family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2288 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
vairProtection, and the winter fur
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
VairMeans: Protection
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)
“Gu. three martlets or, a chief vair”
OxfordshireOxfordshire, c. 1620
Where the Bayley Arms Were Recorded
Oxfordshire
Map of England showing where the Bayley arms are recorded
The Bayley arms were recorded in Oxfordshire, 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 Bayley 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 Oxfordshire.
Origin & History of the Bayley Family in England
The surname Bayley is an occupational name that originated in medieval England. It is derived from the Middle English word "baili," which referred to a person who acted as a bailiff or a legal officer responsible for managing an estate or a manor. By the time the family was firmly established in Oxfordshire in 1620, the name had already been in use for several centuries across the English countryside. During this period, individuals with this name were often involved in local administration, agriculture, or the management of land for wealthy landowners. As the family grew in Oxfordshire, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the rural economy and the development of village life. The name serves as a direct link to the administrative roles that were essential to the functioning of English society during the Middle Ages and the early modern period.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. on a cross ar. five greyhounds' heads erased sa. in the first quarter a covered cup of the second”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Bayley Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Bayley arms are recorded
The Bayley 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 England when the Bayley 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 Bayley Family in Ireland
The family name Bayley has deep roots in Ireland that trace back to the mid-seventeenth century. By 1645, records confirm that members of the Bayley family were already established residents of Dublin. During this era, the name was often associated with people who held administrative or professional roles within the city. As Dublin grew into a major hub of trade and government, families like the Bayleys became part of the urban fabric of the capital. They lived through a time of significant political change in Ireland, which influenced how families settled and grew their influence in the region. Over the following decades, the name spread from the city center into the surrounding counties as the family expanded their interests and connections across the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
baillie
A Middle English term for a bailiff or administrative official.
This name
BayleyAn occupational surname for someone who served as a steward or legal officer.
also spelled
Bayle
Baylie
Bayly
Bailey
Related arms
Bagleysame arms
Baileyvariant spelling
Bailyvariant spelling
Baleyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Oxfordshire History Centre, Parish Registers of Oxfordshire, 1620
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
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
cross symbolChristian faith and service
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
