Map of England showing where the Whalley arms are recorded
The Whalley arms were recorded in Nottingham, c. 1614.
Nottinghamshire had coal under it and forest across it, and both were worth money. Families who profited bought manors, and a manor was the ordinary reason for a family to take 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Whalley 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 Nottingham.
Origin & History of the Whalley Family in England
The surname Whalley originates from a place name in Lancashire, derived from the Old English words for a clearing and a stream. While the family name is deeply rooted in the northern counties of England, its presence expanded significantly by the early seventeenth century. By 1614, records confirm that members of the Whalley family were established in Nottingham, where they became influential figures in local governance and land ownership. This migration reflected a broader trend of families moving from rural northern estates to growing urban centers during the Stuart period. As these individuals settled in Nottingham, they integrated into the administrative life of the region, often serving in civic roles that helped shape the town’s development. Their transition from northern landowners to prominent Nottingham residents highlights the social mobility and shifting geographic focus of English families during the early modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. three whales' heads erased sa. in the centre point a flagstaff in bend gu. thereon two lions pass. guard. in pale or”
ArmaghWhalley's Hill · Armagh, c. 1729
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 Whalley arms are recorded
The Whalley arms were recorded in Armagh, c. 1729.
Armagh was the church capital of Ireland with good farmland around it. Church office and landholding both brought standing, and standing was marked with 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 Ireland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Whalley 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 Armagh.
Origin & History of the Whalley Family in Ireland
The Whalley family name has roots that stretch back to medieval England, but its presence in Ireland became firmly established by the early eighteenth century. By 1729, records confirm that members of the family were settled in County Armagh, a region that served as a significant hub for families arriving from across the Irish Sea during this period. These early settlers were often part of a broader movement of people who sought new opportunities in the agricultural and commercial landscapes of Ulster. As they integrated into the local community, the Whalley family became part of the social fabric of Armagh, contributing to the development of the area through trade and land management. Their transition from English origins to Irish residents reflects the complex history of migration and settlement that defined much of the island during the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
hweol and leah
Old English for wheel or field and a woodland clearing.
This name
WhalleyRefers to a woodland clearing located near a wheel-shaped hill or a river bend.
also spelled
Whally
Whallie
Related arms
Bellrecorded with Whalley, same area
Golbornerecorded with Whalley, same area
Goulbornerecorded with Whalley, same area
Kirkenton, Kirkton, or Kertonrecorded with Whalley, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names. 1960
Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
Thoroton, Robert. The Antiquities of Nottinghamshire. 1677
Nottinghamshire Archives, Records of the Borough of Nottingham
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
lionCourage, strength and royalty
