A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gally family of England.
Reg. 6112 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. on a chev. or, betw. two mullets in chief ar. and a cock in base of the same, beaked gold, a chain sa”
EnglandNantes, c. 1620
Where the Gally Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gally arms are recorded
The Gally arms were recorded in Nantes, 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 Gally 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 Gally Family in England
The surname Gally has deep roots in the historical city of York, where records confirm family members were established by the year 1620. The name likely originated as a descriptive term or a nickname, possibly linked to the Old French word "gal," which suggested a lively or cheerful personality. During the seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Gallys were often integrated into the local merchant or craft guilds that defined the city’s economy. As the family grew, they became part of the dense social fabric of Northern England, living through a period of significant political change. By settling in such a prominent urban hub, the early Gallys were positioned to participate in the evolving professional landscape of the region, helping to shape the identity of the name through their daily work and community involvement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Galle
Derived from the Old French word for a jovial or lively person.
This name
GallyA surname historically used as a nickname for someone with a cheerful or merry disposition.
also spelled
Galley
Gallay
Galle
Related arms
Gallay, or Galleyvariant spelling
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
