A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Halley family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5797 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à la croix ancrée d'arg., cant. de quatre coquilles du même.”
NormandieNormandie, c. 1663
Where the Halley Arms Were Recorded
Normandie
Map of France showing where the Halley arms are recorded
The Halley arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they could be recognised by.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Halley arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Normandie.
Origin & History of the Halley Family in France
The history of the Halley family in France is deeply connected to the northern region of Normandy. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents in this area. The name itself likely originated from local geographic descriptions or nicknames used to identify people in small medieval villages. During the seventeenth century, Normandy was a hub of agricultural and maritime activity, and families like the Halleys often played roles in local governance or trade. As the region experienced shifts in political power and social structure, the family maintained a presence in the local parish records. These documents provide a clear window into their daily lives, showing how they navigated the challenges of life in rural France while building their legacy in the Norman countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. a chev. betw. three annulets or, over all on a fesse of the last as many martlets gu”
EnglandLondon, c. 1620
Where the Halley Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Halley arms are recorded
The Halley arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
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 France when the Halley 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 Halley Family in England
The surname Halley is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a topographic name for people who lived near a hollow or a valley. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in London, where they were active participants in the city’s growing commercial and intellectual life. Records from 1620 show that members of the Halley family were well-integrated into the urban fabric of the capital during a time of significant social change. As London expanded into a global center for trade and science, the family name became associated with the city’s professional classes. This period marked a transition for the family, moving from their rural origins toward the scientific and civic contributions that would later define their legacy in English history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hale
Old English word for a nook, hollow, or remote valley.
This name
HalleyA topographic name for someone who lived in or near a hollow or valley.
also spelled
Hally
Haley
Halleigh
Related arms
Haccartsimilar arms
Hadleysimilar arms
Halleley, Hallely, or Hallileyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Boudet, Jacques, Les noms de famille en France, 1977
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
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
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
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
