Map of England showing where the Kelsay arms are recorded
The Kelsay arms were recorded in Surrey, c. 1390.
Surrey sat just south of London and filled up with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate there was the usual next step, and an estate was the usual reason to take 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.
Richard II of England
Sovereign of the period
Richard II of England
1377–1399
Reigning in England when the Kelsay 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 Surrey.
Origin & History of the Kelsay Family in England
The Kelsay family name traces its roots back to the late fourteenth century in the county of Surrey, England. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in this region by 1390. The name likely originated as a locative surname, which means it was used to identify people based on the specific village or geographic feature where they lived. During this period, surnames were becoming more common as a way for government officials to track taxpayers and landholders. As the family moved across the English countryside, the spelling of the name evolved through various forms before settling into its modern version. By living in Surrey during the medieval era, the early Kelsays were part of a society transitioning from feudal structures to a more mobile and trade-oriented economy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ceol
Old English term meaning ship or keel.
This name
KelsayDerived from a place name meaning ship island or a settlement associated with a keel.
also spelled
Kelsie
Kelsay
Kelsy
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
The National Archives, Court of Common Pleas: Plea Rolls, series CP 40
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
