Beginning with the Causey family of the Jamestown Colony on to Dorchester County, British Colonial Maryland in 1680, and later in North Carolina, land grants, deeds and other documents identify them as Esquire or Gentlemen. According to Arthur Charles Fox-Davies in his work A Complete Guide to Heraldry[1] “The word “gentleman” is a derivative of the word gentle, and a gentleman was a member of the gentle or upper class, and gentle qualities were so termed because they were the qualities supposed to belong to the gentle class. A man was not considered a gentleman, even in those days, simply because he happened to possess personal qualities usually associated with the gentle class; a man was a gentleman if he belonged to the gentle or upper class and not otherwise, so that “gentleman” was an identical term for one to whom the word nobilis … therefore, there were but the two classes in existence, of which the upper class were those who held the land, who had military obligations, and who were noble, or in other words gentle. Therefore all who held land were gentlemen; because they held land they had to lead their servants and followers into battle, and they themselves were personally responsible for the appearance of so many followers, when the King summoned them to war.
We know that Nathaniel Causey of Jamestown was “an old soldier” of Captain John Smiths company and that he was designated “Gentleman” in various documents. Therefore, we know the surname Causey line was eligible for an “Acheivement” and probably displayed a Coat of Arms. The question is, can we connect our current Causey line (which traces back to Dorchester County, Colonial Maryland and most likely to Nathaniel Causey of Jamestown) to the Causey Coat of Arms awarded to Gentleman Causey of Hyngham, (Hingham), South Norfolk District, Norfolk, England, United Kingdom? No date is attached to the listing of this Causey Coat of Arms. It must be, however, quite ancient. Coats of Arms are not awarded to surnames but to individuals. There is only one English surname Causey to be found in The general armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales; comprising a registry of armorial bearings from the earliest to the present time,[2]. “It is perfectly legal for anyone in the United States to design and adopt an original coat of arms of his or her choice. Not only is there is no legal prohibition against armorial assumption in the United States, but the freedom of the individual to assume arms has also been a time-honored principle observed in most of the Western world ever since the great 14th century legal scholar Bartolo de Sassoferrato listed it as one of the valid ways of acquiring arms. It is only within a few jurisdictions, particularly England and Scotland, that any laws exist against the assumption of arms. These laws have not been applicable in the United States since the attainment of American independence—supposing they were even applicable in the American colonies before that. Thus, under American law, assumed arms enjoy the same validity as those granted by the English College of Arms, Scotland’s Lord Lyon, or any other foreign authority.”6 But, I believe it would be fitting and right to acknowledge and honor those of the Causey family who served honorably in the bearing of arms for England and America. Here is a short list of those of the surname Causey in our lineage who have born arms for their nation:
- Nathaniel Causey, “Old Soldier” under Captain John Smith who during the “Massacre of 1622”[3], when Chief Powhatan led an uprising killing at least 347 English settlers almost destroying the Jamestown colony, according to Captain John Smith,[4] Nathaniel Causey, “being cruelly wounded and with the Savages about him, with an axe did cleave one of their heads, whereby the rest fled and he escaped.”
- John Causey, our direct ancestor, served England in the Province of Maryland during the 1670s in “the late Expedicon, (sic), against the Nanticoke Indians.[5]”
- James Causey and John Causey both enlisted 15 Sept 1778 in the 4th South Carolina Artillery during the American Revolution. Many others of our cousins from North Carolina and Maryland also served.
- Many of the Causey clan served in the War of 1812 and the War Between the States.
- In World War I, one of our cousins from Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, PFC Richmond Claude Causey enlisted 1 June 1917 and served in the 80th Field Artillery Regiment in France. He was a victim of a mustard gas attack and died several years later as a result of his injuries.
- Many more Causeys served during World War II. From our immediate Causey line was Homer W. Causey who became a battle casualty from enemy shelling receiving the Purple Heart. Clayton Woodville Causey served in the US Navy. And, my father, Clifton Tilford Causey who served in the US Army in the Pacific Theater.
- In the Vietnam War our line of Causeys who bore arms included Cubert Causey who served over 20 years in the Navy. Billy Causey who was drafted and served two years in the Military Police. Also, the author, Windle R. Causey who served two tours in Vietnam, receiving the Purple Heart and retired with over 20 years’ service.
- In the Global War on Terror, Michael Causey served in Iraq during Desert Storm and retired from the Alabama National Guard. Windle R. Causey was recalled to service in 2005 serving three more years.
All these men served their countries, bearing arms in their nations’ war efforts with dignity and honor. It is fitting that they and the many others of the Causey clan who also bore arms adopt this Causey Coat of Arms.
[1] A COMPLETE GUIDE TO HERALDRY BY ARTHUR CHARLES FOX-DAVIES
Printers mark. LONDON T. C. & E. C. JACK 16 HENRIETTA STREET, W.C. AND EDINBURGH 1909
[2] Author: Burke, Bernard, 1814-1892. Publisher: London : Harrison & sons, 1884; Public Domain, http://www.hathitrust.org
[3] The Powhatan Indian Attack of March 22, 1622 http://www.virtualjamestown.org/phatmass.html
[4] The Generall Historie of Virginia, by: John Smith, Applewood Books, 2006 – History – page 145 (image 334)
[5] “Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly October 1678 – November 1683,” volume 7, pages 87-92 John Causey (bottom page 92) awardee for Militia Service against Nantecote Indians 1778. https://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000007/html/am7–92.html
Our Causey Clan - Lineage, History, and Stories 
This is pretty neat. I am a Causey and thought it would be nice to learn more about our history!
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