Earle Family COAT OF ARMS
The primary element of a heraldic achievement is the shield, or escutcheon, upon which the coat of arms is depicted.
Heraldic symbols began to appear on shields in the 11th and 12th centuries. A basic design for a coat of arms showed the “family” or clan to which you belonged. We can see that in modern times each nation has a “Flag” with the colors or design of that nation and differentiates one nation from another. People of a particular nation identify with their Flag and rally or fight under their nation’s emblem.
In medieval times a design on your shield in battle or your crest displayed on your dwelling or clothing showed the lineage or family group you belonged to. This was mainly used by those with titles and lands, or by knights who went to battle. The designs would develop or be modified over time but the underlying basic design would be similar.
A Coat of Arms is listed or recorded in a particular order that defines the style.
#1 the primary COLOR – Gules = RED
#2 the base metal color – Argent = SILVER
#3 the simple shapes – Bordure ENGRAILED = a “wavy” pattern border around the edges of the shield. It is generally accepted that this line represents a river or ocean and that the bearer’s relation to the same was intended.
#4 the emblems added to the shield, on the background – Escallops = Shells are an inanimate heraldic charge, the escallop shell initially served as an emblem for pilgrims. From this early usage derived its later employment in heraldry as a sign of long voyages to distant lands. It symbolized piety, victory, and a warrior spirit.
#5 the animal used as a charge – Example: Lions = Bravery in Battle
From the book: RALPH EARLE AND HIS DESCENDANTS by Pliny Earle. 1888
Several inquires have been received in relation to the coat of arms of the Earle family. As will be seen below, a no inconsiderable number of armorials have been granted to different members of the family in England. But in all my intercourse, either personal or by written correspondence, with the descendants of Ralph and Joan, I have found no one who wore or bore a coat of arms, and in only one instance have I heard of one in the possession of any family.
The late Edward W. Lawton, of Newport, R. I., a man of much general culture, who was born in 1786, and between whose ancestral relatives and the Earles there had been several intermarriages, sent to me, in 1858, the dates of birth, marriage, etc., of the children of John [199-5] and Dorcas (Barney) Earle, accompanied by the following statement:
“The transcript (of dates, etc.) was sent me by my benevolent Aunt Sarah [440-5], who gave away the bible, as she did every other article in the house that her needy friends would take, even the coat of arms of the Earles, which was set in a small black frame, with 10 by 12 glass. I remember the horses’ heads only.”
He thought it must still be in the possession of some descendants of John and Dorcas.
The subjoined list of granted armorials in England is copied from Mr. Burke.
1. Earl. (Swallowfield Place, County of Berks.)
Arms – Gules, three escallops, within a bordure engrailed, argent.
Crest – A Lion’s head, erased or, pierced with a broken dart proper.
2. Earl, or Erlley.
The same arms.
Crest—On the point of a tilting spear, proper, headed argent, a dolphin naiant of the first.
3. Earl.
Arms – Gules on a chevron argent; three trefoils sable between as many escallops in chief and a dolphin in base, all within a double tressure engrailed of the second, the outer bordure or.
Crest—A nag’s head erased sable maned or.
4. Earle. (Topsfield, County of Essex, and Straglethorpe, County of Lincoln.)
Arms – Gules three escallops within a bordure engrailed argent.
Crest—A nag’s head erased sable maned or.
5. Earle. (Boston, County of Lincoln.)
Arms – Gules an amulet or, between three escallops argent within a bordure engrailed of the third.
6. Earle. (Lincolnshire; granted 1558.)
Arms – Gules a fesse, between three sheldrakes argent.
Crest—A Lion’s head erased or, pierced through the head with a broken spear argent the point embrued gules.
7. Earle.
Arms – Gules, on a fesse or, three magpies proper membered of the second.
8. Earle.
Arms – Azure a fesse between two cotises or.
9. Earle.
Arms – Paly of ten or and gules a mullett in chief argent.
Crest—A Lion’s gamb erect and erased, holding an arrow in bend sinister, point downwards, proper.
10. Earles (granted 1 August 1660).
Arms – Ermine on a cross gules five crowns or. Crest—A cross gules between two wings ermine.
11. Earles (granted 1 August 1660).
Arms – Ermine on a chief indented sable three eastern crowns or.
The coat of arms borne by the Earles of Maryland differs from any one of these, but has points of resemblance to several of them, and is most nearly like the first and the fourth.
The special English branch of the family from which Ralph originated must, apparently, be discovered, before his descendants can rightfully claim either of the armorials here mentioned.
From the book: EARLE OF ALLERTON TOWER by T. Alergon Earle. 1890
EARLE ARMS AND CRESTS.
Collinson, in his History of Somerset, states that John de Erleigh, 8 Edward II., bore on his shield three escallops, and his descendants used these arms in a bordure, engrailed and tinctured Gules and Argent. Most of the subsequent grants bear evidence of connection with this the Charborough coat.
Grants of arms under the name of Earle are numerous at the Heralds’ College. The following list (taken from Robson’s British Herald), gives the most important:
1. EARL (Swallowfield Place, Berks.)
Arms – Gules, three scallops within bordure engrailed Argent.
Crest – Lion’s head erased Or, pierced with a broken dart proper. (Borne by Timothy Hare Altabone Earl, 1824.)
2. EARLE (High Ongar, Essex).
Arms and Crest Same as No. i. (Borne by Rev. Henry John Earle, 1824.)
3. EARLE, ERLE (Charborough and Gillingham).
Arms – Gules, a chevron between three escallops, all within bordure engrailed Argent.
Crest – Lion’s head erased Or, pierced with a broken spear, point imbrued Gules. (Borne by Rev. Christopher Erie, Fellow of New College, Oxford, 1824.)
4. EARLE (Topsfield, Essex, and Craiglethorpe, Lincolnshire).
Arms – Gules, three scallops within bordure engrailed Argent.
Crest – Nag’sheaderasedSable, maned Or.
5. EARLE (Boston, Lincolnshire).
Arms – Same as No.4, with annulet for difference.
Crest – Same asNo.4.
6. ERLLEY, EARL.
Arms – Same as No. 1.
Crest – Dolphin naiant on spear.
7. EARL.
Arms – Gules, on a chevron Argent three trefoils Sable between as many escallops in chief, and a dolphin in base, all within double tressure engrailed of the second, outer bordure Or.
Crest – Nag’s head erased Sable, maned Or.
8. EARLE (Charborough).
Arms and Crest Same as No.3.
9. EARLE (Lincolnshire; granted 1558) [? Craiglethorpc; see Burke’s Extinct Baronetage].
Arms – Gules, a fesse between three sheldrakes Argent.
Crest – Lion’s head erased Or, pierced with a broken spear, point imbrued Gules.
10. ERLEY or ERLY (Cheshire).
Arms – Gules, a fesse Argent, in chief three plates.
Crest – A hand erect proper, holding a gem ring Or, a stone Gules.
11. EARLE.
Arms – Gules, on a fesse Or, three magpies proper, membered of the second.
