Map of England showing where the Caley arms are recorded
The Caley arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Caley 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Caley Family in England
The surname Caley has deep roots in the English county of Norfolk, where families bearing the name were well-established by the early seventeenth century. The name is generally considered a locative surname, meaning it likely originated from a specific place name or a geographical feature near where the first bearers lived. In the medieval period, many families adopted names based on their local surroundings or the villages they inhabited. By 1620, the Caley family was already a notable presence in Norfolk, participating in the social and economic life of the region. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local parish systems, which helped preserve their history through baptismal and marriage records. These early generations helped shape the identity of the name in East Anglia, establishing a legacy that persisted long after the initial settlement of the family line.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cael
Derived from the Gaelic word for slender or narrow.
This name
CaleyAn English habitational surname originating from places like Cayley in Yorkshire.
also spelled
Caylie
Cayly
Related arms
Calleysvariant 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
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk, 1885
Norfolk Record Office, Parish Registers for the Diocese of Norwich, 1600–1650
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
