Map of France showing where the Pelley arms are recorded
The Pelley arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they could be recognised 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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Pelley 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 Normandie.
Origin & History of the Pelley Family in France
The family name Pelley finds its early roots in the historic region of Normandy, France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established within this coastal province. During the seventeenth century, Normandy was a hub of agricultural activity and maritime trade, which likely shaped the daily lives of the early Pelley ancestors. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older French terms related to local occupations or specific geographic landmarks found in the northern countryside. As the family lived in this region during a period of significant social change, they were part of the vibrant culture that defined the French landscape before many members eventually migrated to other parts of the world. Their presence in Normandy serves as a clear starting point for tracing the family lineage back to the traditions and geography of northern France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Or, on a bend engr. vert three martlets ar. in chief a trefoil of the second”
Englandc. 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 Pelley arms are recorded
The Pelley arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them 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 France when the Pelley 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 England.
Origin & History of the Pelley Family in England
The family name Pelley has deep roots in the northern English city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religion, and families like the Pelleys were often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes that defined the city’s economy. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic roots related to local geography or specific personal nicknames common in the medieval period. As residents of a major northern hub, the early Pelleys would have navigated the significant social and political changes occurring in England during the lead-up to the Civil War. By establishing themselves in such a prominent urban environment, these early ancestors helped set the foundation for the family’s presence in the region for generations to come.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Pelle
Derived from the Old French word for a shovel or spade.
This name
PelleyAn occupational surname for someone who worked with a shovel or was a gravedigger.
also spelled
Pellei
Pelleie
Pelleyy
Pelee
Pelly
Related arms
Pellyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Le Cacheux, Paul, Essai sur les origines des familles normandes, 1928
Société de l'histoire de Normandie, Bulletin de la Société de l'histoire de Normandie, 1869
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
helmetWisdom and security in defence
helmetWisdom and security in defence
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
