A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Goodley family of Ireland.
Reg. 8174 · Irish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. two bars az. on a canton gu. a mascle ar. bottony at each corner or”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Goodley Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Goodley arms are recorded
The Goodley arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Goodley arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Goodley Family in Ireland
The surname Goodley is believed to have originated as a descriptive nickname, likely derived from the Middle English term "godly," which was used to describe a person of virtuous or pious character. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Dublin, appearing in records as early as 1645. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political transition, and families like the Goodleys were often integrated into the city’s growing merchant and professional classes. As the name moved through generations, it became a fixed identifier for families living within the urban landscape of Ireland’s capital, reflecting a history rooted in the social and economic development of the city during the mid-1600s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
God
Old English term for a deity or supreme being.
This name
GoodleyA descriptive nickname for a person of good character or a pleasant disposition.
also spelled
Goodleigh
Goodley
Goodly
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
National Archives of Ireland. Civil Survey of the County of Dublin. 1654–1656
Reaney, Percy H. A Dictionary of English Surnames. 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
