A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gravely family of England.
Reg. 1794 · 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 Gravely Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gravely arms are recorded
The Gravely 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 Gravely 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 Gravely Family in England
The surname Gravely is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a topographic name for someone who lived near a gravelly or sandy area. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Gravely family were active within this northern hub during a period of significant social and economic transition. As residents of York, they were part of a community defined by its ancient walls and long-standing mercantile traditions. While the name evolved in spelling over the centuries, its early association with the region suggests a family deeply connected to the local geography and the urban development of one of England’s most important historical centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
grafa and leah
Old English for a grove or clearing belonging to a count.
This name
GravelyA habitational name referring to a woodland clearing or a grove associated with a grave or trench.
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
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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
