A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beckley family of England.
Reg. 8382 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ravenConstancy and divine providence
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 chev. engr. betw. three ravens sa. beaked and legged gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Beckley Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Beckley arms are recorded
The Beckley 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 Beckley 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 Beckley Family in England
The name Beckley is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, originating as a locational surname for families who lived near a stream or a clearing in the woods. The name is derived from the Old English words "bece," meaning a brook or stream, and "leah," which refers to a meadow or woodland clearing. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Beckley family were active residents in this region by 1620, living within a city defined by its Roman foundations and its importance as a center of trade and religion in Northern England. These early ancestors likely navigated the social and economic shifts of the Stuart era, contributing to the local community as the name gradually spread from its rural origins into the urban centers of the British Isles.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bece and leah
Old English words for a stream or brook and a woodland clearing.
This name
BeckleyA habitational name referring to someone who lived by a stream in a forest clearing.
also spelled
Beckly
Bekley
Bekly
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ravenConstancy and divine providence
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ravenConstancy and divine providence
