Map of England showing where the Conley arms are recorded
The Conley 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 Conley 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 Conley Family in England
The family name Conley is an Anglicized version of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Conghalaigh, which translates to descendant of the valiant or hound-like warrior. While the name has deep roots in Ireland, members of the family were documented in the English city of York as early as 1620. During this period, individuals often moved between Ireland and England due to trade, military service, or shifting political landscapes. Those who settled in York during the early seventeenth century likely integrated into the local community while maintaining their distinct cultural heritage. As the name moved across borders, the spelling evolved to fit English phonetics, eventually stabilizing into the modern form of Conley. This transition marks the family as part of a long history of migration and adaptation that defined many surnames during the colonial era.
Conley Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Conghalach
Derived from the Gaelic words for hound and valorous.
This name
ConleyAn anglicized form of an Irish surname meaning valiant or wise hound.
also spelled
Conley
Connelly
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
Woulfe, Patrick. Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames. 1923
York City Archives. York City House Books. 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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
