A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Checkley family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5798 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or au chev. de gu., acc. de trois étoiles du même. C.: une étoile de gu.”
FrancePhiladelphie, c. 1725
Where the Checkley Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Checkley arms are recorded
The Checkley arms were recorded in Philadelphie, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Checkley 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 Checkley Family in France
The history of the Checkley name in France is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of the Brittany region during the early eighteenth century. By 1725, records confirm that family members had established a presence in this coastal province, a time when Brittany functioned as a distinct cultural and linguistic stronghold within the French kingdom. The name likely evolved from local geographic markers or occupational descriptions common to the rural communities of the era. Families in this region often lived in close-knit agricultural or maritime parishes, where they navigated the complex social changes occurring under the reign of Louis XV. As these early ancestors settled into the Breton way of life, they became part of the local fabric, contributing to the unique traditions and historical development of the area long before the name spread to other parts of the world.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. a chev. sa. betw. three cinquefoils gu”
EnglandAlwalton Church, c. 1680
Where the Checkley Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Checkley arms are recorded
The Checkley arms were recorded in Alwalton Church, c. 1680.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in France when the Checkley 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 Checkley Family in England
The surname Checkley is a locational name that originated from the small village of Checkley in Staffordshire, England. During the medieval period, people often adopted the name of their home village as a way to identify themselves when they moved to new towns or cities. By the late 17th century, the family had established a presence in the historic city of York, where records from 1680 confirm their residence. At that time, York was a bustling center for trade and administration, making it a common destination for families seeking new opportunities. The Checkley family likely integrated into the local economy as craftsmen or merchants, contributing to the social fabric of the city during the late Stuart era. Over generations, the name spread from its rural roots in the Midlands to the urban centers of Northern England, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and family development in early modern Britain.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cealc
Old English term for chalk or limestone.
This name
CheckleyA topographical name for someone who lived near a chalky clearing or a limestone ridge.
also spelled
Chekley
Checkly
Checklee
Checklie
Checkleigh
Related arms
Huetsimilar arms
Asshetonrecorded with Checkley, same area
Dennyrecorded with Checkley, same area
Dickinsonrecorded with Checkley, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série B (Records of the Parlement de Bretagne)
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E (État civil et registres paroissiaux)
Croix, Alain, La Bretagne aux 16e et 17e siècles: La vie, la mort, la foi, 1981
Le Moigne, Jean-Jacques, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1986
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
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
cinquefoilHope and joy
