A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Erley family of England.
Reg. 5171 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. a fesse ar. in chief three plates”
ChesterChester, c. 1620
Where the Erley Arms Were Recorded
Chester
Map of England showing where the Erley arms are recorded
The Erley 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 Erley 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 Erley Family in England
The family name Erley finds its roots in the historic city of Chester, where records confirm members of the family were well-established by the year 1620. During the early seventeenth century, Chester served as a vital hub for trade and regional administration in North West England. Families living in this area often took their names from the specific landscapes or local landmarks where they resided, suggesting that the name may have originated from a descriptive term for a meadow or a clearing near the River Dee. As the city grew into a center for commerce and military activity, the Erley family likely participated in the local guilds and civic life that defined the social structure of the time. By maintaining a presence in such a prominent walled city, these early ancestors were positioned at the center of the region’s economic development during a period of significant transition in English history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Earnleah
A clearing inhabited by eagles.
This name
ErleyDerived from an Old English place name referring to a woodland clearing frequented by eagles.
also spelled
Erleigh
Erlegh
Erly
Related arms
Erleghvariant spelling
Erlyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Chester City Guilds and Freemen Records, 1620
Phillips, A. D. M. and Phillips, C. B., A New Historical Atlas of Cheshire, 2002
Thacker, A. T., The Victoria History of the County of Chester, 2003
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
