A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cauley family of England.
Reg. 7066 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. on a chev. sa. three leopards' heads jessant-de-lis of the first”
EnglandCowley, c. 1620
Where the Cauley Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cauley arms are recorded
The Cauley arms were recorded in Cowley, 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 Cauley 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 Cauley Family in England
The family name Cauley has deep roots that connect to the movement of people across the British Isles during the seventeenth century. While the name is often associated with Irish origins, historical records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in the city of York by 1620. During this period, York served as a vital hub for trade and administration in Northern England, attracting families who sought new opportunities in urban centers. Those living in York at this time likely worked as skilled craftspeople or merchants, contributing to the local economy as the city transitioned through a time of significant social change. By settling in such a prominent historical city, the early Cauley family members became part of the fabric of English life, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the broader patterns of migration and family growth in the early modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cathal
Derived from the Gaelic elements for battle and rule.
This name
CauleyAn Anglicized form of the Irish surname Mac Amhalghaidh, meaning son of the battle ruler.
also spelled
Cauly
Caulie
Related arms
Cowleysimilar arms
Blomerrecorded with Cauley, same area
Browningrecorded with Cauley, same area
Cadmanrecorded with Cauley, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward, History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York, 1822
North Yorkshire County Record Office, Parish Registers of the City of York, PR/YOR
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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
