FAMILY  COAT  OF  ARMS

Naturally the coat of arms or family crest should be thought of as art or entertainment and not taken too seriously.   The on this page are an attempt to illustrate the descriptions from the Burke's General Armory.   Whether or not they can be actually connected to our modern-day families is in dispute.  The original illustration was purchased by me and belongs to me - copy or vary it as you like.  Suggestions and corrections for the illustrations and information are welcome (Donna Hollingsworth Hocking  olivhill@flash.net).

HOLLINGSWORTH	It’s doubtful that (being Quakers) the Hollingsworths of America had any interest whatever in crests.  The Quaker Hollingsworth line was indeed descended from Valentine Hollingsworth but which Hollingsworth crest (if any) can be associated with Valentine is in dispute, but popular belief is that Valentine is associated distantly with the family of Hollingsworth Hall.  DNA tests have proven that Levi Hollingsworth (1805-1869) -father of Henry M., grandfather of Roy Sr- was descendant of Valentine.  DNA may someday also prove what coat of arms may have been associated with Valentine’s ancestors.  Harry Hollingsworth did fairly extensive research on the three crests.  Anyone wishing to follow up on this subject would do well to read his research printed in the Hollingsworth Register, Volume I, number 2, page 87, July 1965; number 3, page 140, October 1965; number 4, page 154, December 1965.
HOLLINGSWORTH York Herald, Temp. Richard III (to Maryland) BLAZON: Azure on a bend argent three leaves slipped vert. Shield of blue. A silver bend (sash) with three leaves separated from each other. CREST:    A stag couchant argent. Stag is lying on all fours with its head erect like the sphinx- argent   (silver). MOTTO:
HOLLINGSWORTH of Co. Chester and Hollyngworthe Hall BLAZON: Azure on a bend argent three leaves slipped vert. Shield of blue. A silver bend (sash) with three leaves separated from each other. CREST:    A stag lodged proper. Stag is lying on all fours with its head erect like the sphinx- proper   (natural color). MOTTO:  Disce ferenda pati. Bear what must be borne
HOLLINGSWORTH of Surrey and Hartlepool, Co. Durham BLAZON: Argent, a chevron ermine between three stags trippant proper. Shield of silver. A chevron of ermine fur with tails showing, set between three naturally colored stags in a trotting attitude. CREST:    A crescent argent. A crescent silver. MOTTO:  Lumen accipe et imperti. Acquire wisdom and impart it
VALENTINE HOLLINGSWORTH of Ballyvickcrannel, County Armagh, Ireland (signature seal) John Hollingsworth ..(John..of Giles...of Valentine),  found Valentine's official seal on a trip to Belfast. You can read more about the seal on Tom Hollingsworth site hollygardens.com/hollingsw.  The artist rendition of the seal was done by Toni Hollingsworth (Tom's wife). BLAZON: ?(possibly argent), a chevron (possibly ermine) between three stag's heads eras'd (possibly proper) CREST:    MOTTO:

LAY

Family tradition in several families in various parts of the country maintains that the first Lays in the Virginia territory were Jesse, John, and David Lay. They were perhaps brothers and came into Virginia (which encompassed everything west of Jamestown at the time) from Canada. According to the stories, Jesse Duncan (1811-1896)  told his family, they were of French Descent and detested the English, and came to Virginia to help the colonists "whip the English".

LAY of Cheshire (Leigh or Lee) BLAZON: Or, lion rampant, gules. Shield of gold. Red lion erect CREST:    MOTTO:  Force avec vertu. Strength with virtue.

BAILEY

The 4th great-grandfather of James Miner Bailey (1810-1899)   is well documented as James Bailey of Rowley, MA who emigrated 1638 in the ship AMERICA.  According to The Bailey Family by Jeanne Bailey Ransom ( pub 1991) James of Rowley was the son of Godfrey Bayley of Bradford Parish, Yorkshire.   The origins of this family are unknown, but whether Scottish, English or Irish, the shield of the Bailey family is the azure shield with nine stars (some variations in the shape of the stars) but the crest of the Scottish clan is a boars head.

BAILEY of Ringdufferin, County Down, Ireland BLAZON: Azure, nine stars, three, three, two and one, argent. Shield of Blue. Nine silver stars - rows of three two and one. CREST:    A hand holding a dagger proper.  A natural hand with a dagger. MOTTO:  Quid clarius astris. What is brighter than the stars

FREEZE	The father of Benjamin Freeze (1830-1909) is reported to be the son of Hannah Nicholls Lowrence and John R. Freeze ( or Fries) who was born 1784 in  NC.   The origin of the Fries family is believed to be Friesland in Germany.
FRIES of Würzburg, Bavaria BLAZON: Azure, lion rampant, Or, overall a bend sinister, argent Shield of Blue. Gold lion erect and overall a silver sash from right top. CREST:    A demi figure of a Knight armed holding in the dexter hand a sword erect. A partial figure of a knight with a sword held erect in his right hand.  MOTTO: