Map of England showing where the Thurley arms are recorded
The Thurley 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 England when the Thurley 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 Thurley Family in England
The family name Thurley is rooted in the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. The name likely originated as a topographical surname, which was a common way for people to identify themselves based on the local landscape where they lived. It is believed to be derived from Old English words describing a clearing or a meadow near a thorny thicket. During the seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Thurleys were often part of the growing merchant or artisan classes. As they settled into the city, they became part of the local community fabric, leaving behind traces in parish registers and legal documents that highlight their steady presence in Northern England throughout the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Thor
The Old Norse god of thunder and strength.
This name
ThurleyA topographical name for someone living near a clearing or meadow dedicated to the god Thor.
also spelled
Thorly
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
Hey, David, The Oxford Guide to Family History, 2002
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Records: Parish Registers of York, 1620
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
cinquefoilHope and joy
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cinquefoilHope and joy
