Map of France showing where the Kingsley arms are recorded
The Kingsley arms were recorded in Canterbury, 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 Kingsley 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 Kingsley Family in France
The family name Kingsley finds a distinct chapter of its history within the region of Bretagne, France, where records confirm the presence of family members by the year 1725. While the name is often associated with English origins, its appearance in western France suggests a period of migration and integration during the early eighteenth century. At this time, Bretagne was a hub of maritime activity and trade, which likely facilitated the movement of families across the English Channel. Settling in this coastal province, these early ancestors would have navigated a society defined by a unique blend of local Breton customs and broader French administrative structures. Their presence in the region reflects the fluid nature of borders and the movement of people who sought new opportunities in the port cities and rural parishes of the French Atlantic coast. By establishing themselves in Bretagne, these individuals became part of a complex social landscape that required them to adapt to local traditions while maintaining their own family identity.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Vert a cross engr. ar. (another, erm.). Crest, as the last”
HertfordSorrett · Hertford, c. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Kingsley arms are recorded
The Kingsley arms were recorded in Hertford, c. 1620.
Hertfordshire lay just north of London and filled with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate within a day's ride was the usual next step, and an estate brought arms with it.
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 Kingsley 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 Hertford.
Origin & History of the Kingsley Family in England
The surname Kingsley is a locative name, meaning it originated from individuals who lived near or owned a "king’s wood" or a royal clearing. While the name has ancient roots in various parts of England, the family established a notable presence in the town of Hertford by the early 17th century. During this period, Hertford served as a significant administrative and market hub, and families like the Kingsleys were often integrated into the local governance and trade networks of the county. By 1620, the name was well-established within the region, reflecting a history of landholders and local citizens who helped shape the development of the town. This era was a time of great social change in England, and the Kingsley family’s presence in Hertford suggests they were part of the growing middle class that occupied important roles in parish life and local commerce.
Kingsley Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Cyninges leah
Old English for king's meadow or woodland clearing.
This name
KingsleyDerived from a locative surname referring to a royal forest or meadow.
also spelled
Kyngsley
Kingsly
Kingslie
Kyngslie
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions, 1725
Delumeau, Jean, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1969
Meyer, Jean, La noblesse bretonne au XVIIIe siècle, 1966
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
