A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Calverley family of England.
Reg. 4765 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. an inescutcheon ar. guttée de poix, within an orle of owls ar”
LancasterCockerham · Lancaster, c. 1613
Where the Calverley Arms Were Recorded
Lancaster
Map of England showing where the Calverley arms are recorded
The Calverley arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1613.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 Calverley 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Calverley Family in England
The family name Calverley originates from a place name in West Yorkshire, derived from the Old English words for calf and woodland clearing. By the early seventeenth century, members of the family had established a notable presence in Lancaster. During this period, the family was deeply integrated into the local community, often appearing in civic and parish records that document their daily lives and social standing. As the family moved and settled in new regions like Lancashire, they maintained the spelling of their name as a link to their northern roots. This transition from a specific geographic location to a recognized surname reflects the common way many English families identified themselves through the land they once occupied.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Calve-leah
A calf pasture or clearing in a wooded area.
This name
CalverleyDerived from a location in West Yorkshire meaning a meadow where calves were grazed.
also spelled
Calverleigh
Calverly
Related arms
Pitmanrecorded with Calverley, 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
Lancashire Archives, Lancaster St Mary Parish Registers, 1613
Smith, Albert Hugh, The Place-Names of the West Riding of Yorkshire, 1961
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
