A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ceely family of England.
Reg. 0423 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. a chev. or, betw. three mullets ar”
CornwallCornwall, c. 1620
Where the Ceely Arms Were Recorded
Cornwall
Map of England showing where the Ceely arms are recorded
The Ceely arms were recorded in Cornwall, c. 1620.
Cornwall was a county apart, with its own language and its own tight-knit gentry. Tin and the sea made money there, and families who made it bought land, which is what brought arms with it.
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 Ceely 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 Cornwall.
Origin & History of the Ceely Family in England
The surname Ceely is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Cornwall, where the family established a notable presence by the early seventeenth century. Historical records confirm that members of the Ceely family were well-settled in the region by 1620, often participating in the local governance and maritime activities that defined Cornish life during that era. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older occupational or locational descriptors common in the West Country, reflecting the linguistic shifts of the time. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social fabric of towns like Plymouth and various parishes across Cornwall, often serving as merchants or local officials. Their history is closely tied to the development of these coastal communities, where they played a steady role in the regional economy and public affairs for several generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cael
Derived from the Latin word for heaven or sky.
This name
CeelyA locational or descriptive surname likely referring to someone from a heavenly or celestial place.
also spelled
Celey
Seely
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Vivian, J.L., The Visitations of the County of Cornwall, comprising the Heralds' Visitations of 1530, 1573, & 1620, 1887
The National Archives, Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, PROB 11
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
