Map of England showing where the Hadley arms are recorded
The Hadley arms were recorded in London, c. 1379.
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.
Richard II of England
Sovereign of the period
Richard II of England
1377–1399
Reigning in England when the Hadley 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 Hadley Family in England
The surname Hadley is a locational name that originated in England, derived from Old English words meaning a clearing in the heather or a heath. By the late fourteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in London, as evidenced by records from 1379. During this period, the name was often associated with individuals who moved from rural areas into the growing urban center of the city to pursue trade and commerce. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social and economic fabric of medieval England, often appearing in tax rolls and legal documents that tracked the movement of citizens. Because the name was tied to specific geographic features of the landscape, it likely emerged independently in several different regions before becoming a recognized family identifier in the capital.
Hadley Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
hæth and leah
Old English words for heather and a woodland clearing or meadow.
This name
HadleyA locational surname referring to a clearing overgrown with heather plants.
also spelled
Hadly
Hadleigh
Hadlie
Hadlay
Related arms
Halleysimilar arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Poll Tax Returns, E 179
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
