Map of England showing where the Dulay arms are recorded
The Dulay 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 Dulay 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 Dulay Family in England
The family name Dulay has deep roots in the city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During this period, York was a bustling northern hub, and families like the Dulays were often integrated into the local trade and craft guilds that defined the city’s economy. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic patterns, potentially serving as a locational surname or a descriptive nickname that identified individuals by their place of origin or a specific personal trait. As the family established itself in the region, they became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, participating in the daily life of a city that was then transitioning through significant political and religious changes. By remaining in such a historically significant area, the early Dulays contributed to the long-standing demographic history of northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Du Lay
Old French for of the meadow or from the clearing.
This name
DulayA topographic name for someone who lived near a meadow or pasture land.
also spelled
Dulie
Duley
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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