A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Handley family of England.
Reg. 5331 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Erm. on a chief gu. three bucks' heads ar. (another, or)”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Handley Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Handley arms are recorded
The Handley 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 Handley 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 Handley Family in England
The surname Handley is a locational name that originated in England, derived from Old English words meaning a high clearing or a wooded area. By the early 17th century, members of the Handley family were well-established in the historic city of York. During this period, York served as a major northern hub for trade, religion, and local government. Families living in the city at this time often worked as skilled tradespeople or merchants who contributed to the growing urban economy. The presence of the Handley name in York records from 1620 suggests that these ancestors were part of a stable community that had likely resided in the region for several generations. As the family grew, they became integrated into the daily life of the city, leaving behind records in local parish registers and legal documents that track their movement through the centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Handeleia
Old English elements meaning high or chief woodland clearing.
This name
HandleyDerived from a locational surname referring to a high meadow or clearing in a forest.
also spelled
Handly
Handlie
Handlay
Related arms
Handcocksame arms
Handle, or Hanillovariant spelling
Atkinsonrecorded with Handley, same area
Brownerecorded with Handley, same area
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, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Records: Parish Registers of York, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
