Valey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Valey is one of the names that was brought to England in the wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Valey family lived in Northumberland. Their name, however, is a reference to La Val, in the lower Marne valley of Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Checking further we found the name was derived from the Old French word val, meaning valley.

The Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae listed Roger de la Vale in Normandy in 1180. 1

Early Origins of the Valey family

The surname Valey was first found in Northumberland where they were granted land by William the Conqueror. The family were originally known as Delaval and took their name from the Castle of La Val in the lower Marne valley in Normandy.

Some of the first records of the family were found north, in Scotland. "About 1190 Gilbert de la Val witnessed a charter by William de Hauekeristone of certain lands in the territory of Innerwick to the Abbey of Kelso. " 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Eustace del Val and Hugh de la Val as holding lands in Northumberland at that time. 3

Early History of the Valey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Valey research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1190, 1364, 1578, 1582, 1583, 1604 and 1655 are included under the topic Early Valey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Valey Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Valey family name include Vale, Vail, Veil, Fale, Fail and others.

Early Notables of the Valey family

Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Valey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Valey family to Ireland

Some of the Valey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Valey migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Valey family to immigrate North America:

Valey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Elisha Valey, aged 21, who arrived in New York in 1812 4

The Valey Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: In te domine speravi
Motto Translation: In thee, O Lord, I have placed my hope.

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)