A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fadley family of England.
Reg. 6218 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. on a fesse gu. three martlets or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Fadley Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Fadley arms are recorded
The Fadley 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 Fadley 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 Fadley Family in England
The Fadley family name is rooted in the history of northern England, with documented evidence placing family members in the city of York as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families living there often worked as skilled craftspeople or merchants. The name itself likely evolved from a local place name or a descriptive term used to identify individuals who lived near a specific landmark, such as a field or a meadow. As the family established their roots in the region, they became part of the local community structure that defined life in post-medieval England. Over the following generations, the name persisted as families moved through the northern counties, reflecting the steady growth and migration patterns common to English surnames of that era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fadda
An Old English personal name derived from the word for father.
This name
FadleyA topographical name referring to someone who lived near a meadow or clearing.
also spelled
Fadely
Fadley
Fadleigh
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
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
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
