Map of England showing where the Housley arms are recorded
The Housley arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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 Housley 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Housley Family in England
The surname Housley is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a topographic name for someone who lived near a house located in a clearing or a meadow. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of Chester. Records confirm that members of the Housley family were living in this region by 1620, a time when Chester served as a vital hub for trade and regional administration. As residents of such a prominent walled city, these early family members were likely integrated into the local merchant or craft guilds that defined urban life during the Stuart period. Their presence in Chester suggests that the family was well-settled in the northwest of England, contributing to the local economy and the social fabric of the city during a time of significant transition in English history.
Housley Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Hus-leah
Old English for house or dwelling and a woodland clearing.
This name
HousleyRefers to a person who lived in a house located within or near a forest clearing.
also spelled
Huxly
Huxlay
Huxlie
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Bishop’s Transcripts of the Diocese of Chester, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English 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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
