Map of England showing where the Galea arms are recorded
The Galea arms were recorded in Cornwall, c. 1620.
Cornwall was a county apart, with its own language and its own tight-knit gentry. Tin and the sea made money there, and families who made it bought land, which is what brought arms with it.
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 Galea 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 Cornwall.
Origin & History of the Galea Family in England
The name Galea has deep roots that trace back to the Mediterranean, particularly within the island of Malta and parts of Italy. The name is often linked to the Latin word galea, which refers to a type of helmet worn by Roman soldiers. While the family name is strongly associated with Mediterranean history, members of the Galea family were documented living in Cornwall, England, as early as 1620. During this period, Cornwall was a hub for maritime trade and mining, which likely drew people from various regions to its coastal towns. These early settlers in Cornwall were part of a broader movement of families who moved across Europe for work and trade. By establishing themselves in the English countryside, the Galea family became part of the diverse social fabric that defined seventeenth-century Britain.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
galea
Latin term for a leather or metal helmet.
This name
GaleaAn occupational name for a maker or seller of helmets.
also spelled
Gaile
Gayle
Gail
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Cassar Pullicino, Joseph, Studies in Maltese Folklore, 1992
National Archives (UK), Exchequer: King's Remembrancer: Port Books, E 190
Rohlfs, Gerhard, Dizionario dei cognomi e dei soprannomi in Italia, 1979
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
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
