Map of England showing where the Stavely arms are recorded
The Stavely arms were recorded in Oxford, c. 1498.
Oxfordshire was farming country with the university at its centre, and both produced families of standing. Scholars and lawyers who did well bought manors nearby, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to a coat of 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.
Henry VII of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VII of England
1485–1509
Reigning in England when the Stavely 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 Oxford.
Origin & History of the Stavely Family in England
The surname Stavely is a locational name that originated in England, likely derived from the Old English words for a staff or a post and a clearing or meadow. By the late fifteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the university city of Oxford. Records from 1498 indicate that members of the family were active within the local community during a period when Oxford was a growing center of trade and intellectual life. Because surnames were often adopted based on the specific village or geographic feature where a person lived, the Stavely name suggests that the family’s ancestors originally hailed from a settlement characterized by a distinct wooden landmark or a fenced enclosure. As the family moved into urban centers like Oxford, they transitioned from their rural roots into the evolving social and economic structures of late medieval England.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Ar. on a chev. betw. three lozenges gu. as many bucks' heads cabossed or”
DublinBarrister-at-law · Dublin, c. 1645
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 Ireland showing where the Stavely arms are recorded
The Stavely arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1645.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Stavely arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Dublin.
Origin & History of the Stavely Family in Ireland
The history of the Stavely family in Ireland begins to emerge clearly in the mid-seventeenth century, specifically with records placing family members in Dublin by 1645. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political transition, and the presence of the Stavely name suggests the family was part of the growing urban class of merchants or skilled professionals. As the seventeenth century progressed, the family became more deeply rooted in the social fabric of the city, often appearing in local parish registers and legal documents related to property and commerce. While the name likely originated from English roots, its transition into the Irish landscape reflects the broader movement of people across the Irish Sea during the era of the plantations and the subsequent expansion of Dublin as a colonial administrative hub. By establishing themselves in the capital, the early Stavelys integrated into a society defined by rapid change, leaving behind a trail of records that document their steady growth and influence within the city walls.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Staveley
Old English elements meaning a clearing with wooden staves or posts.
This name
StavelyA habitational name referring to a settlement located near a wooden post.
also spelled
Stavely
Staveleigh
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Oxford University Archives, Chancellor’s Court Register, 1498–1506
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
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
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
