A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dovey family of England.
Reg. 7361 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. a fesse betw. three doves ar. beaked and legged gu”
SalopFarmcot · Salop, c. 1620
Where the Dovey Arms Were Recorded
Salop
Map of England showing where the Dovey arms are recorded
The Dovey arms were recorded in Salop, c. 1620.
Shropshire lay on the Welsh border, and border country needed men who could fight. Families held their land in return for service, and service in arms is what a coat of arms was originally for.
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 Dovey 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 Salop.
Origin & History of the Dovey Family in England
The surname Dovey is primarily associated with the West Midlands of England, particularly the county of Shropshire, which was historically known as Salop. By the early 17th century, the family had established a firm presence in this region, with records confirming their residence there by 1620. The name itself is thought to be a topographic or locative surname, likely derived from the Old English word for a dove or perhaps referring to someone who lived near a specific stream or valley. During this period, families in Shropshire were often deeply connected to the local agricultural economy and the growing trade networks of the Severn Valley. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social fabric of the local parishes, leaving behind traces in baptismal and marriage registers that document their steady expansion across the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dufa
Old Norse term for a dove or a dark-colored bird.
This name
DoveyA nickname for a person with a gentle or peaceful disposition like a dove.
also spelled
Dovie
Dovay
Dovye
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
Shropshire Archives, Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
