A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ellie family of England.
Reg. 0071 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
Colours
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)
“Gu. two dolphins hauriant endorsed or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Ellie Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Ellie arms are recorded
The Ellie 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 Ellie 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 Ellie Family in England
The surname Ellie has roots that reach back to the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Ellies were often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes that defined the city’s economy. The name itself likely evolved as a variation of older given names, such as Elias or Eleanor, which were common throughout Northern England during the Middle Ages. As people began to adopt permanent surnames for tax and legal purposes, these personal names were gradually passed down through generations. By the early 17th century, the Ellie family had become a part of the social fabric of York, contributing to the growth and development of one of England’s most significant northern hubs.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ali
Derived from the Greek name Elias meaning Yahweh is God.
This name
EllieA diminutive form of Eleanor or Ellen, often interpreted as shining light or sun ray.
also spelled
Elly
Ellie
Ellee
Elleis
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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dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
