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Page last updated 22nd April 2002

The Shelvey Coat of Arms

Thanks to David Robert Shelvey for giving me this photo to scan in.

I don't know much about Coats of Arms, and I suspect much of this is made up by companies wanting to sell these to people. Having said that I admit my ignorance here, and would welcome comments backing up the history behind these symbols. I have made a quick search on the web to see what this Shelvey coat of arms might mean. If anyone can shed any more light on this, please drop me an email at so I can publish it here.

Possible Meanings of colours -

Gold - Generosity and elevation of the mind

Red - Warrior, Martyr, Military Strength

Green - Hope, joy, and loyalty in love

Posible meanings of symbols -

Hmmm, what is that creature?

Pegasus - Poetic genius and inspiration; messenger of God

Griffin - Valour and death-defying bravery; vigilance

Any other ideas?

Click on Image above to see a larger image.

Some more Information on Coats of Arms from Sean McGuire

The coats of arms are inappropriate as the shells coat of arms are a pun on Shelley and the motto belongd to an English baronet. Anyway I suggest that most Americans with the surname are English who emigrated to the US in the 18th C. Very few Irish emigrated that early.

Most of these offered are complete hoaxes. Stictly speaking a coat of arms is granted to an individual and only his male heirs can use it. The Shelley coat with the 'comme je trouve' motto belongs to Sir - Shelley Bt. You will find a lot of this type of information in Burkes Guide to the Peerage and Baronetage of Great Britain and Ireland.

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Another Shelvey Coat of Arms.

Many thanks to Christine Dawson for sending me this Coat of Arms
Researched by Name Heritage, based in Wales.


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