A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cleaver family of England.
Reg. 9343 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ermineDignity and rank
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Counter-ermine (Ermines)Means: Dignity
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)
“Or, a chev. ermines betw. three cords erased at each end and tied in knots vert”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cleaver Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cleaver arms are recorded
The Cleaver arms were recorded in England, 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 Cleaver 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 Cleaver Family in England
The surname Cleaver is an occupational name that originated in medieval England, likely referring to a person who worked as a butcher or a woodcutter. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Cleaver family were living in this region by 1620, a time when York served as a major center for trade and religious life in Northern England. These early residents were part of a growing urban middle class, often working in skilled trades that supported the city’s economy. Over time, the family name spread from these northern roots to other parts of Britain, carried by individuals who moved to find new work or land. Because the name was tied to common daily labor, it was adopted by various families across different counties, reflecting the practical nature of early English naming traditions.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cleave
Old English word meaning to split, divide, or adhere.
This name
CleaverAn occupational name for a butcher or someone who used a cleaver tool.
also spelled
Cleever
Clever
Related arms
Clevervariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
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
ermineDignity and rank
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ermineDignity and rank
