Map of England showing where the Parlee arms are recorded
The Parlee arms were recorded in Hereford, c. 1620.
Herefordshire lay on the Welsh border, where land was held in return for military service. Families there were expected to arm and to fight, and a fighting household needed a shield it could be known by.
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 Parlee 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 Hereford.
Origin & History of the Parlee Family in England
The history of the Parlee family name is rooted in the landscape of seventeenth-century England. Records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of Hereford by 1620. During this period, Hereford was a bustling market town known for its agricultural trade and its strategic position near the Welsh border. Families living in this region often took on surnames that reflected their local surroundings or their specific roles within the community. While the name likely evolved from early linguistic variations in the West Midlands, the presence of the Parlee family in Hereford suggests they were part of the stable middle class that supported the town’s economy. Over the following generations, the family remained connected to the social and economic shifts of the region before eventually expanding into other parts of the British Isles and beyond.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Perle
Old French term for a precious spherical object or gemstone.
This name
ParleeAn occupational name for a jeweler or a nickname for someone with a precious nature.
also spelled
Perle
Pearll
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Herefordshire Archives, Hereford City Parish Registers, 1600–1650
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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
