Map of England showing where the Kelsey arms are recorded
The Kelsey 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 Kelsey 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 Kelsey Family in England
The surname Kelsey is a locational name, which means it was originally used to identify people by the place where they lived. Historical records confirm that the family was well-established in the county of Surrey by 1390. During the Middle Ages, families often adopted the name of their home village or parish as a way to distinguish themselves from others in the community. The name itself is thought to derive from Old English roots, likely referring to a specific island or a piece of land near a river. As members of the family moved away from their original home, they carried the name with them, helping it spread across different regions of England. This practice of using surnames based on geography was common in the fourteenth century and helped local officials keep better track of land ownership and tax records.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ceol-sige
Old English elements meaning ship and victory.
This name
KelseyDerived from a place name meaning victory ship or island of the ships.
also spelled
Kelsie
Kelsay
Kelsy
Related arms
Celsonsame arms
Archerrecorded with Kelsey, same area
Ingilbyrecorded with Kelsey, same area
Inglebyrecorded with Kelsey, same area
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
Surrey History Centre, Manorial Records of Surrey, 1390
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
