A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chamley family of Ireland.
Reg. 7939 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
helmetWisdom and security in defence
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Per chev. az. and gu. in chief two helmets ar. garnished or, and in base a garb of the last”
IrelandDublin Castle, c. 1820
Where the Chamley Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Chamley arms are recorded
The Chamley arms were recorded in Dublin Castle, c. 1820.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1801–1820
Reigning in Ireland when the Chamley arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Chamley Family in Ireland
The surname Chamley is believed to have originated as a locational name, likely derived from places in England such as Cholmondeley in Cheshire, which eventually evolved into various phonetic spellings over several centuries. By the early 19th century, members of the Chamley family had established a notable presence in Dublin, Ireland. Records from 1820 indicate that these individuals were integrated into the urban life of the city during a period of significant social and economic transition. As they settled in Dublin, the family became part of the growing professional and mercantile classes that defined the capital’s character at the time. Their movement from regional origins to the bustling environment of Dublin reflects the broader patterns of migration and family development that shaped the history of the British Isles during the Industrial Revolution.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ceallach
Derived from the Gaelic word for war, strife, or bright-headed.
This name
ChamleyAn anglicized form of the Irish surname O Ceallaigh, signifying a descendant of the bright-headed warrior.
also spelled
Chambley
Related arms
Chambley, or Chamblyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
National Archives of Ireland, Valuation Office Records: House Books, 1820
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
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
helmetWisdom and security in defence
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
helmetWisdom and security in defence
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
