Map of England showing where the Hendley arms are recorded
The Hendley arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 Hendley 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Hendley Family in England
The surname Hendley is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, where it likely originated as a topographical name for people who lived near a high meadow or a clearing. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Lancaster. Historical records confirm that members of the Hendley family were settled in this region by 1620, living as part of the local community during a time of significant social and political change. These early ancestors were often involved in agriculture or local trades, which allowed them to build stable lives in the rural parishes of the north. Over time, the name spread from these Lancashire roots to other parts of Britain, reflecting the mobility of families as they sought new opportunities in growing towns and cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heah-leah
Old English for high or elevated meadow or clearing.
This name
HendleyDerived from a locational surname referring to someone who lived near a high meadow.
also spelled
Hendly
Hendlie
Hendlay
Related arms
Boord, Borde, or Boardrecorded with Hendley, same area
Bradleyrecorded with Hendley, same area
Heverrecorded with Hendley, 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
Lancashire Archives, Bishop’s Transcripts of Parish Registers, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
