A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Casley family of France.
Reg. 5520 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. a castle with two towers or, embattled and masoned sa”
Francec. 1663
Where the Casley Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Casley arms are recorded
The Casley arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Casley arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Casley Family in France
The family name Casley has deep roots tied to the coastal regions of northwestern France, specifically within the historic province of Bretagne. By the year 1663, records confirm that family members were well-established in this area, living amidst a culture defined by maritime trade and strong regional traditions. The name likely evolved from local linguistic patterns common to the Breton people, who maintained a distinct identity separate from the rest of the French kingdom. As these early ancestors navigated life in the seventeenth century, they were part of a society that valued community ties and local land ownership. Over time, the family name traveled beyond these original borders, carrying the legacy of their Breton origins into new regions and generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Casa
Latin term referring to a cottage, hut, or small house.
This name
CasleyDerived from a topographic name for someone who lived in or near a small house or dwelling.
also spelled
Casly
Caslie
Caslay
Related arms
Chasteliaisimilar arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série B (Archives de la juridiction seigneuriale)
Gautier, Hervé, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1992
Le Gall, Jean, Les familles bretonnes sous l'Ancien Régime, 1985
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
