Map of England showing where the Wensley arms are recorded
The Wensley arms were recorded in Derby, c. 1591.
Derbyshire had lead mines in its hills and good grazing in its valleys. Both made steady money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names into the heraldic records.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Wensley 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 Derby.
Origin & History of the Wensley Family in England
The surname Wensley is a locative name, meaning it was originally derived from a specific place rather than a trade or personal characteristic. It is believed to have originated from the village of Wensley in North Yorkshire, where the name appears in early records as Wandesley or Wenesley. By the late sixteenth century, members of the family had established a presence in Derby, as evidenced by parish registers dating back to 1591. During this period, families often moved from rural areas to growing market towns to pursue new economic opportunities in trade or craft. As these individuals settled in Derby, they carried the name of their ancestral home with them, helping to spread the surname across different regions of England. Over time, the spelling evolved into its modern form as it became firmly rooted in the local community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wendesley
A clearing or meadow belonging to a person named Wendel.
This name
WensleyDerived from an Old English place name referring to a woodland clearing associated with a specific individual.
also spelled
Wensleigh
Wensly
Wenslie
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
Derbyshire Record Office, Derby All Saints Parish Register, 1591
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
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
