A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Graveley family of England.
Reg. 2150 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. a cross pointed ar. in the dexter chief point a mullet of the last”
EnglandGraveley, c. 1620
Where the Graveley Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Graveley arms are recorded
The Graveley arms were recorded in Graveley, 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 Graveley 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 Graveley Family in England
The family name Graveley is rooted in the geography of medieval England, likely originating as a locational surname for people who lived near a grove or a clearing in a wooded area. By the early 17th century, the family had established a clear presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Graveley family were active participants in the social and economic life of this northern hub during a time of significant transition in England. As residents of a major center for trade and administration, these early ancestors were well-positioned to witness the shifting political landscape of the Stuart era. Their presence in York suggests that the family was integrated into the urban fabric of the city, contributing to the local community long before the expansion of the family name across broader regions.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Grava and Leah
Grove or wood and a clearing or meadow.
This name
GraveleyA habitational name referring to someone who lived near a wooded clearing.
also spelled
Gravely
Gravley
Gravelie
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
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
