A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Earles family of England.
Reg. 7865 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. on a cross gu. five crowns or”
Englandc. 1660
Where the Earles Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Earles arms are recorded
The Earles arms were recorded in England, c. 1660.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in England when the Earles 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 Earles Family in England
The surname Earles finds its roots in the Old English word eorl, which originally described a man of noble birth or high rank. By the time the name became a formal family identifier in England, it often served as a descriptive nickname for someone who acted with the authority or dignity of a nobleman. Records confirm that members of the Earles family were established in the city of York by 1660, a period defined by the restoration of the English monarchy. During this time, families in northern England were deeply involved in the local trade and civic life that defined the historic city. These early ancestors likely navigated the social and economic shifts of the seventeenth century while helping to build the long-standing presence of the name in the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
eorl
An Old English term for a nobleman, warrior, or man of rank.
This name
EarlesA hereditary title denoting a person of noble birth or a high-ranking official.
also spelled
Erles
Earlls
Erlls
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
