A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Berley family of Ireland.
Reg. 8939 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. a chev. betw. three leopards' faces or”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Berley Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Berley arms are recorded
The Berley 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 Ireland when the Berley 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 Berley Family in Ireland
The history of the Berley family in Ireland is deeply connected to the turbulent political landscape of the seventeenth century. By 1645, members of the family were firmly established in Dublin, a city that served as a central hub for trade and administration during a time of significant social upheaval. The name likely originated as a locational surname, referring to individuals who lived near a barley field or a specific meadow, which was a common way to identify families in medieval naming traditions. As the family settled in Dublin, they integrated into the urban life of the capital, likely participating in the merchant classes or local civic duties that defined the city’s growth during the mid-1600s. Their presence in the city records during this period suggests they were part of the shifting population that navigated the complex religious and political changes occurring across Ireland at the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beorh
Old English term referring to a hill, mound, or protective shelter.
This name
BerleyDerived from a topographical location, specifically referring to someone living near a hill or burial mound.
also spelled
Berly
Berlie
Related arms
Bereleyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
Royal Irish Academy, A New History of Ireland, Volume III: Early Modern Ireland 1534–1691, 1976
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
