A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Birley family of England.
Reg. 3718 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
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. a fesse engr. betw. three trefoils slipped gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Birley Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Birley arms are recorded
The Birley 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 Birley 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 Birley Family in England
The surname Birley is a topographic name that originated in Northern England, specifically derived from Old English words meaning a clearing or a woodland settlement. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Birley family were active participants in the civic and social life of this region during the Stuart period. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the local economy, often working as skilled tradespeople or merchants within the bustling markets of Yorkshire. This geographic connection to the north shaped the family identity for generations, as they moved from rural settlements into the heart of one of England’s most important medieval cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Byre-leah
Old English for a cow shed or barn and a forest clearing.
This name
BirleyRefers to a person who lived near a clearing containing a cattle shed.
also spelled
Birly
Byrley
Byrly
Byirley
Related arms
Birlevariant spelling
Byirleyvariant spelling
Lowderecorded with Birley, same area
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, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
