A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chorley family of England.
Reg. 3676 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. gu. betw. three blue bottles, slipped, ppr”
LancasterChorley · Lancaster, c. 1620
Where the Chorley Arms Were Recorded
Lancaster
Map of England showing where the Chorley arms are recorded
The Chorley arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 Chorley 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Chorley Family in England
The surname Chorley is a locative name, meaning it was originally taken from a specific place to identify a person’s home or origin. The name is derived from the town of Chorley in Lancashire, England, which was historically known as Cherley or Chorley. By the early 17th century, the family had established a firm presence in the broader Lancaster region, where they were integrated into the local community. During this period, families often moved between nearby parishes for work, trade, or marriage, which helped spread the name across the county. Because the name is tied to a geographic location, it reflects the deep connection early members of the family had to the landscape and social structure of Lancashire long before they began to settle in other parts of the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
ceorl-leah
Old English for a free peasant and a woodland clearing.
This name
ChorleyRefers to a person who lived in a forest clearing belonging to a freeman.
also spelled
Chorlie
Chorly
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Place-Names of Lancashire. 1922
Reaney, Percy Hide. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
Lancashire Archives, Parish Registers of the Diocese of Lancaster
The National Archives, Lay Subsidy Rolls for the County of Lancaster
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
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
