Map of England showing where the Weasley arms are recorded
The Weasley 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 Weasley 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 Weasley Family in England
The Weasley family name finds its historical roots in the northern regions of England, specifically around the city of York. By the year 1620, records indicate that family members were already established residents in this area. The name itself is thought to be topographical, likely originating from a description of the landscape where the earliest ancestors lived. It is possible that the name refers to a meadow or a clearing near a stream, as the term suggests a connection to the natural geography of the Yorkshire countryside. During the seventeenth century, families in this region often lived as farmers or tradespeople who were deeply connected to their local communities. While the family remained relatively modest in their social standing, their presence in York during this period shows that they were part of the steady growth of northern English society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
wes
Old English word for west or western direction.
This name
WeasleyA topographical name for someone who lived in the western part of a settlement.
also spelled
Wessly
Weslie
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1620
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
