A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Handly family of England.
Reg. 4038 · 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 Handly Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Handly arms are recorded
The Handly 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 Handly 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 Handly Family in England
The surname Handly has deep roots in northern England, particularly within the historic city of York. By the year 1620, families bearing this name were already established members of the local community. The name itself is likely topographical or occupational in origin, often linked to individuals who lived near a specific landmark or worked in a particular trade during the Middle Ages. In the seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of commerce and religion, and families like the Handlys contributed to the city’s growth through their involvement in local crafts and trade guilds. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, leaving behind records in parish registers and legal documents that trace their presence through generations of life in the north.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Handele
Old English term referring to a valley or a meadow.
This name
HandlyDerived from a topographic location, specifically a dweller in a valley or meadow.
also spelled
Handly
Handlie
Handlay
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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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
