Map of England showing where the Herley arms are recorded
The Herley 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 Herley 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 Herley Family in England
The family name Herley has deep roots in the northern English city of York, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. During the early seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families living there were often involved in the skilled crafts or merchant guilds that defined the city’s economy. The name itself likely evolved from Old English or Old Norse linguistic patterns common in the Yorkshire region, where surnames were often adopted to describe a person’s place of origin or their specific occupation. As the family grew in this historic walled city, they became part of the local fabric, participating in the daily life of a community that was transitioning through a period of significant political and social change. By settling in York, the early Herley family placed themselves at the heart of a region known for its strong traditions and its role as a gateway to the north of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hara-leah
Old English terms for an army or warrior and a woodland clearing.
This name
HerleyDerived from a locational surname referring to a meadow or clearing associated with an army or soldier.
also spelled
Herly
Hurley
Hearley
Related arms
Herlevariant spelling
Hurleyvariant spelling
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, 1991
Hey, David, The Oxford Guide to Family History, 2002
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
York City Archives, Freemen of the City of York Registers, 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
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
