A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Halsey family of England.
Reg. 9366 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. on a fesse betw. three griffins' heads erased gu. a mullet of the first”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Halsey Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Halsey arms are recorded
The Halsey arms were recorded in England, 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 Halsey 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 Halsey Family in England
The surname Halsey is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, originating as a topographic name for someone who lived near a "halh," which was an old term for a secluded nook or a hollow of land. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. These early settlers were part of a period defined by significant social and religious shifts in Northern England. As the family became integrated into the local community, they participated in the typical trades and civic life of a bustling cathedral city. Their presence in York by 1620 suggests that the family was well-established in the region long before the waves of migration that would eventually carry the name across the Atlantic. This history reflects the broader movement of English families who transitioned from rural life to the growing urban centers of the era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hal-eg
Old English words for a nook or corner and a clearing.
This name
HalseyDerived from a place name referring to a clearing located in a nook.
also spelled
Halsie
Halsay
Related arms
Dayrollesrecorded with Halsey, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
