A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dunkley family of England.
Reg. 0894 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Erm. a fesse vert betw. three mullets gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Dunkley Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Dunkley arms are recorded
The Dunkley 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 Dunkley 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 Dunkley Family in England
The surname Dunkley is a locational name that originated in England, likely derived from a specific place name that has since faded from common use or shifted in spelling. By the early 17th century, members of the Dunkley family were firmly established in the city of York, as evidenced by records dating back to 1620. During this period, York served as a major northern hub for trade and administration, suggesting that early ancestors were likely involved in the bustling urban life of the region. As the family grew, they moved beyond these original roots, gradually spreading across different counties and eventually participating in the broader migration patterns that defined English history. The name itself reflects the way families were historically identified by the lands they occupied or the specific villages where they first gained prominence.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dun-leah
Old English for hill and woodland clearing.
This name
DunkleyDerived from a topographic location describing a settlement situated near a hill and a forest clearing.
also spelled
Dunkly
Dunkleigh
Dunkelie
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. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
