A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Goatley family of England.
Reg. 6615 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 lion ramp. sa. over all on a saltire engr. gu. a crescent for diff”
EnglandCanterbury, c. 1620
Where the Goatley Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Goatley arms are recorded
The Goatley arms were recorded in Canterbury, 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 Goatley 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 Goatley Family in England
The family name Goatley likely originated as a descriptive label for individuals who lived near or worked on land associated with goats. In the early seventeenth century, the family established a notable presence in the historic city of York. By 1620, records indicate that members of the Goatley family were active participants in the social and economic life of this northern English hub. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, providing a stable environment for families to settle and grow. As the name spread through local parishes, it became linked to the regional identity of Yorkshire. The early history of the family reflects the common patterns of migration and settlement found among working families in England during the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gote-leah
A clearing or meadow where goats were kept.
This name
GoatleyAn English habitational surname derived from a goat pasture or woodland clearing.
also spelled
Gotley
Gottley
Gately
Related arms
Gotley, or Gottelleyvariant 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
York Minster Archives, Parish Registers of York, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
