A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Henley family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9234 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
ramLeadership and authority
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'azur au lion d'arg., cour. d'or; à la bord. du sec., ch. de huit tourt. de gu.; aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à trois béliers militaires au nat., posés en fasces, l'un sur l'autre, les têtes et les chaines d'azur. C.: une tête de lion d'arg., cour. d'or. S.: à dextre un lion d'arg. semé de tourt. de gu., cour. d'or; à sen. un cerf d'arg., ramé d'or, semé de tourt. de gu. D.: SOLA ET UNICA VIRTUS.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Henley arms are recorded
The Henley arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Henley 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 Henley Family in France
The family name Henley has deep roots in the historical region of Bretagne in northwestern France. By the year 1725, records confirm that members of the family were established within this coastal province. During this period, Bretagne was a distinct territory with its own unique customs and social structure. Families living there were often tied to the land and the local maritime economy. The name itself likely evolved from the specific geography of the region, as many surnames in Bretagne were shaped by the local Breton language or the influence of neighboring areas. Living in this part of France meant the family was part of a culture that valued strong community ties and regional identity. These early ancestors helped build the foundation for the family name before it eventually spread to other parts of the world.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. a lion ramp. ar. crowned or, a border of the second semée of torteaux”
SomersetHenley · Somerset, c. 1613
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Map of England showing where the Henley arms are recorded
The Henley arms were recorded in Somerset, c. 1613.
Somerset was rich farming country with a thick scattering of manor houses. Its gentry were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with 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 France when the Henley 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 Somerset.
Origin & History of the Henley Family in England
The name Henley is a locational surname that originated in England, typically referring to people who lived near a high clearing or a woodland meadow. While the name appears in various parts of the country, historical records confirm that members of the Henley family were well-established in the county of Somerset by 1613. During this period, families in Somerset were often deeply connected to the local agricultural economy and the wool trade, which served as the foundation for the region's prosperity. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social fabric of the West Country, participating in local parish life and community governance. By settling in Somerset, these early ancestors helped shape the identity of the region, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the transition from medieval land-based naming traditions to the more formal family structures of the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hagan
Old Germanic term for an enclosure or a protected hedge.
This name
HenleyDerived from a place name meaning high meadow or clearing near an enclosure.
also spelled
Henly
Henleigh
Henlie
Henlay
Related arms
Henly, alias Hendleyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Fonds de la juridiction de Rennes)
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Série E (État civil et registres paroissiaux)
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
ramLeadership and authority
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
ramLeadership and authority
bordureA difference between branches of one family
