Map of England showing where the Woolever arms are recorded
The Woolever 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 Woolever 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 Woolever Family in England
The surname Woolever is a variant of the German name Wohlleben, which translates literally to "live well." Historical records confirm that members of this family were established in the city of York by 1620, suggesting they were part of a wave of continental European migrants who moved to England during the early seventeenth century. These early settlers likely arrived as skilled tradespeople or merchants seeking new opportunities in the growing urban centers of Northern England. Over time, the spelling of the name shifted from its original German form to the Anglicized version used today to better suit the phonetic patterns of the English language. This transition reflects the common practice of immigrant families adapting their identities to integrate into their new communities while still maintaining a connection to their ancestral linguistic roots.
Woolever Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Wulf-heah
Old English elements meaning wolf and high or exalted.
This name
WooleverA locational or habitational name derived from a high-lying area associated with wolves.
also spelled
Woolburg
Wollburg
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 City Chamberlains’ Accounts, 1620
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roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
