A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Eveleigh family of England.
Reg. 3081 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Per pale or and sa. two chevronels betw. three griffins pass. counterchanged”
DevonWest Eveleigh · Devon, c. 1564
Where the Eveleigh Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the Eveleigh arms are recorded
The Eveleigh arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1564.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Eveleigh 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Eveleigh Family in England
The family name Eveleigh is deeply rooted in the landscape of Devon, England, where records confirm the family was well-established by the year 1564. The name is considered a locative surname, meaning it likely originated from a specific place name rather than a trade or personal nickname. Linguists suggest the name is derived from the Old English words for a clearing or meadow, specifically referring to a place where ewes were kept. During the sixteenth century, the Eveleighs were recognized as members of the local gentry who held significant parcels of land across the Devon countryside. Their presence in parish registers and legal documents from this era shows that they were active participants in the social and economic life of the region, often serving as landowners who managed agricultural estates. Over time, the family name became synonymous with the rural history of the West Country, reflecting a deep connection to the soil and the traditional farming practices of the English landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Efa-leah
Old English for a forest clearing belonging to a person named Efa.
This name
EveleighDerived from a topographical location referring to a meadow or woodland clearing.
also spelled
Eveley
Evelie
Related arms
Cornishrecorded with Eveleigh, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Hoskins, W.G., Devon, 1954
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1564
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
