A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Harley family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7367 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à la bande coticée de sa. C.: un château de trois tours d'arg.; et un lion de gu., iss. de la tour de milieu. T.: deux anges, hab. et ailés d'or. D.: VIRTUTE ET FIDE.”
Francec. 1711
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of France showing where the Harley arms are recorded
The Harley arms were recorded in France, c. 1711.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 Harley 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 France.
Origin & History of the Harley Family in France
The history of the Harley name in France is deeply tied to the rugged landscape and distinct cultural identity of the Brittany region. By the year 1711, records confirm that members of the family were already established within this area, living among a population known for its strong maritime traditions and independent spirit. During this period, the name likely functioned as a geographic or occupational identifier, common for families residing in the coastal parishes of northwestern France. As the family integrated into local society, they participated in the typical agricultural and trade activities that defined life in the Breton countryside. Their presence in the early eighteenth century suggests that the Harleys were part of the local social fabric, navigating the complex regional laws and shifting political landscape of the French kingdom during the reign of Louis XIV.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bordureA difference between branches of one family
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Or, on a bend double cotised sa. a fleur-de-lis of the field, a border engr. gu”
HerefordMagdalen College · Hereford, c. 1553
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Harley arms are recorded
The Harley arms were recorded in Hereford, c. 1553.
Herefordshire lay on the Welsh border, where land was held in return for military service. Families there were expected to arm and to fight, and a fighting household needed a shield it could be known 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 England in this period.
Edward VI of England
Sovereign of the period
Edward VI of England
1547–1553
Reigning in France when the Harley 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 Hereford.
Origin & History of the Harley Family in England
The surname Harley originates from Old English roots, likely derived from a combination of words meaning a clearing or a meadow near a wood. While the name appears in various parts of England, the family established a notable presence in the county of Herefordshire by the mid-sixteenth century. Records confirm that members of the Harley family were settled in this region by 1553, where they became deeply integrated into the local community and land management. During this period, families often took their names from the specific geographic features of their home estates, which suggests that the original ancestors lived near a prominent woodland clearing. Over time, the family expanded their influence through local governance and agricultural development, cementing their place in the history of the English West Midlands.
Harley Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Har
Old Germanic element meaning army or warrior.
This name
HarleyDerived from a place name meaning a clearing or meadow in the woods.
also spelled
Harlay
Harleigh
Related arms
Harlayvariant spelling
Harletvariant spelling
Harlevariant spelling
Harleghvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur. Histoire de Bretagne. 1896
Meyer, Jean. La noblesse bretonne au XVIIIe siècle. 1966
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Cours et juridictions)
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Série E (Familles et seigneuries)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bordureA difference between branches of one family
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
