A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gleave family of England.
Reg. 9583 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. three crescents or, (another, ar.)”
ChesterHigh Leigh · Chester, c. 1620
Where the Gleave Arms Were Recorded
Chester
Map of England showing where the Gleave arms are recorded
The Gleave arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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 Gleave 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Gleave Family in England
The surname Gleave is deeply rooted in the historic county of Cheshire in North West England. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in the city of Chester, which served as a major regional hub for trade and administration. The name is widely considered to be a topographical surname, likely derived from the Old English word "glaive," which referred to a specific type of spear or cutting weapon. It is probable that the earliest ancestors to carry this name were either makers of these tools or individuals known for their skill in using them. As the family grew in Chester during the 1620s, they became part of the local fabric of the city, living and working within the bustling walls of this ancient Roman settlement. Their presence in the city records from this period highlights a long-standing connection to the region that has persisted for centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Glebe
Land belonging to a parish church or benefice.
This name
GleaveA topographical name for someone who lived on or near church-owned land.
also spelled
Gleev
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
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Bishop's Transcripts for the Diocese of Chester, 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.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
