A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Worthey family of England.
Reg. 3674 · English, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. a saltire ar. fretty az. betw. twelve cinquefoils or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Worthey Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Worthey arms are recorded
The Worthey 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 Worthey 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 Worthey Family in England
The family name Worthey carries a rich history that likely traces back to the northern regions of England. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the historic city of York. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religious life, suggesting that the early Worthey family may have been involved in the city’s bustling merchant guilds or local administration. The name itself is thought to be locational in origin, derived from the Old English word "worth," which referred to an enclosed homestead or a small settlement. This indicates that the earliest ancestors were likely farmers or landowners who identified their identity through the specific plot of land they cultivated. Over the following centuries, the family expanded from these northern roots, eventually carrying the name across the Atlantic as part of the great migration to the American colonies.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
worth
An enclosed homestead or settlement protected by a fence or wall.
This name
WortheyRefers to a person who lived at or near an enclosed farmstead or village.
also spelled
Worthey
Worthe
Worthee
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cinquefoilHope and joy
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cinquefoilHope and joy
