A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Norley family of England.
Reg. 9222 · English, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. a cross engr. ar”
ChesterNorley · Chester, c. 1620
Where the Norley Arms Were Recorded
Chester
Map of England showing where the Norley arms are recorded
The Norley 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 Norley 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 Norley Family in England
The family name Norley is deeply rooted in the geography of Cheshire, England, with historical records confirming the presence of the family in the city of Chester by the year 1620. The name itself is likely locational, derived from the Old English words "north" and "leah," which translates to a northern clearing or meadow. During the early seventeenth century, Chester served as a bustling center for trade and regional administration, placing the Norley family in a significant hub of English life. As the family established themselves in this area, they became part of the local social fabric that defined the region during the Stuart period. By maintaining a presence in such a prominent city, early members of the Norley family were likely involved in the professional and mercantile activities that characterized the growth of Chester during this era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
North Leah
Old English terms for northern direction and a woodland clearing.
This name
NorleyA habitational name referring to a meadow or clearing located in the north.
also spelled
Norleigh
Norleighe
Norly
Related arms
Norleighevariant spelling
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 Chester St. Oswald, 1620
Domesday Book, Liber de Wintonia, 1086
Mills, A.D., A Dictionary of English Place-Names, 1991
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
