A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Finkley family of England.
Reg. 5945 · 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
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ar. a fesse dancettée az. betw. three martlets sa”
EnglandLondon, c. 1620
Where the Finkley Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Finkley arms are recorded
The Finkley arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
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 Finkley 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 Finkley Family in England
The surname Finkley traces its roots to the bustling environment of seventeenth-century London, where records confirm the family was established by 1620. During this era, the city was a center of rapid growth and international trade, drawing people from across the countryside into its crowded parishes. The name likely originated as a locative surname, meaning it was used to identify individuals who hailed from a specific place or settlement known as Finkley. While the exact geographical origin remains a subject of historical study, the presence of the family in London during the early Stuart period suggests they were part of the vibrant middle class that fueled the city's expansion. These early ancestors lived through a time of significant social change, navigating the complexities of urban life in a capital city that was quickly becoming a global hub for commerce and culture.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Finch
A small seed-eating songbird of the finch family.
This name
FinkleyA meadow or clearing associated with the finch bird.
also spelled
Fynkley
Finkly
Fynkly
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
The National Archives, London Consistory Court Wills, 1492–1858
London Metropolitan Archives, Church of England Parish Registers, 1538–1812
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names, 1960
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
