A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Abberbury family of England.
Reg. 9397 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Or, a fess embattled sa”
OxfordshireOxfordshire, c. 1620
Where the Abberbury Arms Were Recorded
Oxfordshire
Map of England showing where the Abberbury arms are recorded
The Abberbury arms were recorded in Oxfordshire, c. 1620.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Abberbury arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Oxfordshire.
Origin & History of the Abberbury Family in England
The name Abberbury is a locative surname, meaning it was originally derived from a specific place name rather than an occupation or a personal trait. Historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in Oxfordshire by the year 1620. The name likely refers to a settlement or a fortified site, as the suffix "bury" typically denotes a stronghold or a protected enclosure in Old English. During the early seventeenth century, families in this region were often tied to the land through agriculture or local trade. As the family grew, they became a recognized part of the rural landscape in Oxfordshire, contributing to the local community and parish life. By tracing their presence back to this period, we can see how the family name served as a link between their ancestral home and their evolving identity in the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eadburh
Old English elements meaning prosperous or rich and fortress or protection.
This name
AbberburyDerived from a place name meaning the fortified town belonging to Eadburh.
also spelled
Abberbery
Abberburie
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
