Map of England showing where the Pelly arms are recorded
The Pelly arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Pelly 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Pelly Family in England
The Pelly family name has deep roots in the English county of Essex, where records confirm their presence as early as the year 1620. During this period, the family was primarily established in the rural landscapes of the region, where they likely engaged in local agriculture and community life. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older occupational or locational surnames that evolved through regional dialects over several generations. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social and economic fabric of Essex, often appearing in parish registers that documented their baptisms, marriages, and burials. These early ancestors helped shape the local identity of the area long before the name spread to other parts of the country. By remaining in the same geographic region for centuries, the Pelly family maintained a consistent connection to the history and development of their home county.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Pelle
A medieval diminutive form of the name Peter meaning stone or rock.
This name
PellyA patronymic surname derived from the son of a man named Peter.
also spelled
Pelley
Pellei
Related arms
Pelleyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Essex Record Office, Parish Registers of Essex, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British 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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
