A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ashby family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9690 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. erm. betw. three leopards' faces or, quartering Ashley of Lowesby, Burdet, Zouch, and Shukburgh”
LeicesterQuenby Hall · Leicester, c. 1619
Where the Ashby Arms Were Recorded
Leicester
Map of England showing where the Ashby arms are recorded
The Ashby arms were recorded in Leicester, c. 1619.
Leicestershire was grazing country, and wool and cattle made steady money rather than spectacular fortunes. Steady money bought manors, and manors are what brought families into the registers.
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 Ashby 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 Leicester.
Origin & History of the Ashby Family in England
The name Ashby is a locational surname that originated from the Old Norse and Old English languages, meaning a farmstead or town belonging to an ash tree. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in Leicestershire, specifically appearing in official records by 1619. During this period, the family was deeply integrated into the local social and economic fabric of the English Midlands. As the name spread from its geographic roots, members of the family often served as landholders or local officials who helped shape the development of their parishes. Their history reflects the broader movement of families who transitioned from being identified by their specific village homes to carrying those names as permanent markers of their lineage across generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. on a fess ar. 'a crescent of the field in chief three fleurs-de-lis of the second”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Ashby Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Ashby arms are recorded
The Ashby arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Ashby arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Ashby Family in Ireland
The history of the Ashby name in Ireland is deeply connected to the turbulent political climate of the seventeenth century. While the surname is of English origin, records confirm that members of the family were established in Dublin by 1645. During this period, the city served as a central hub for English settlers and administrators who were tasked with managing land and trade under the authority of the Crown. The presence of the Ashby family in Dublin suggests they were part of a growing class of merchants or government officials who moved across the Irish Sea to seek new opportunities. As they integrated into the local society, these early settlers helped shape the urban landscape of a city that was rapidly changing due to ongoing conflicts and shifting power structures. Their transition from England to Ireland reflects the broader movement of families who sought to build lives in a new environment during a time of significant historical upheaval.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ask-byr
Old Norse words for ash tree and farmstead or village.
This name
AshbyRefers to a settlement or farmstead located near a grove of ash trees.
also spelled
Ascheby
Ashbie
Ashbee
Related arms
Aschebyvariant spelling
Ashbeevariant spelling
Maddockrecorded with Ashby, same area
Wollastonrecorded with Ashby, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Nichols, John, The History and Antiquities of the County of Leicester, 1795
Leicestershire Archives, Records of the Archdeaconry of Leicester: Wills and Administrations, 1619
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
