Map of England showing where the Wooley arms are recorded
The Wooley 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 Wooley 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 Wooley Family in England
The surname Wooley is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, originating as a locative name for people who lived near a wool-clearing or a meadow used for sheep farming. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Wooley family were active residents there by 1620, a time when York served as a major center for trade and regional administration. These early ancestors likely integrated into the bustling urban life of the city, potentially working in the local textile industries or as skilled tradespeople. Their presence in such a prominent northern hub suggests that the family was well-settled and played a part in the social and economic fabric of the region during the transition into the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
wulf-leah
Old English terms for wolf and a woodland clearing or glade.
This name
WooleyRefers to a person who lived near a clearing frequented by wolves.
also spelled
Woolly
Wolly
Related arms
Woelyvariant spelling
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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Records: Parish Registers of York, 1620
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chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
