A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Heeley family of England.
Reg. 1620 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. a chev. ar. betw. three lions ramp. or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Heeley Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Heeley arms are recorded
The Heeley 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 Heeley 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 Heeley Family in England
The family name Heeley is a topographical surname, which means it was originally used to describe the place where a person lived. The name is derived from Old English roots meaning a high clearing or a high meadow. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Heeley family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, the family likely worked in the trades or agriculture that defined the local economy of Northern England. Because the name is linked to specific landscape features, it is probable that different branches of the family adopted the name independently as they moved between various high-lying settlements in the region. Over time, the name became a permanent identifier for these families as they grew and settled into the urban life of York.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heah-leah
Old English words for high and meadow or woodland clearing.
This name
HeeleyRefers to a person who lived near a high meadow or a clearing on elevated land.
also spelled
Heely
Heelie
Healey
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Hey, David, Family Names and Family History, 2000
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
