Map of England showing where the Earley arms are recorded
The Earley arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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 Earley 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Earley Family in England
The surname Earley is rooted in the Old English language, originating from the word *earl*, which was a title of nobility, or from descriptive nicknames used to identify people who acted in a dignified or lordly manner. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Chester, England. Records confirm that members of the Earley family were living in this historic walled city by 1620, a time when Chester served as a vital hub for trade and regional administration. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of the community during a period of significant transition in English history. The name has persisted through centuries as a marker of these early English origins, reflecting the movement and settlement patterns of families in the northwest of the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Earley
Derived from the Old English words for eagle and woodland clearing.
This name
EarleyRefers to a meadow or clearing frequented by eagles.
also spelled
Erleigh
Erlegh
Erly
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
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Bishop's Transcripts of Chester St Oswald, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
