A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ashbee family of England.
Reg. 1568 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. a chev. or, betw. three eagles displ. with two heads ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Ashbee Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Ashbee arms are recorded
The Ashbee arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 Ashbee 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 England.
Origin & History of the Ashbee Family in England
The family name Ashbee is rooted in the landscape of northern England, specifically within the historic city of York. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were already established residents in this region. The name itself is likely locational in origin, derived from Old English terms that describe a settlement near a grove of ash trees. During the seventeenth century, families in York often lived near the city walls or within the busy merchant districts where trade and craftsmanship defined daily life. As the Ashbee family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of the city during a time of significant religious and political change in England. Their presence in York suggests they were likely involved in the local trades or civic duties that kept the city functioning during the early Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ask-byr
Old Norse words for ash tree and farmstead or settlement.
This name
AshbeeRefers to a person who lived at a farmstead situated near an ash tree.
also spelled
Ashby
Ashbie
Ascheby
Related arms
Aschebyvariant spelling
Ashbyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward. History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York. 1822
Collins, Francis. Register of the Freemen of the City of York. 1897
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
