A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barbey family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6568 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 fascé d'azur et d'or; au 2 de gu. au lion d'or.”
NormandieNormandie, c. 1663
Where the Barbey Arms Were Recorded
Normandie
Map of France showing where the Barbey arms are recorded
The Barbey arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they could be recognised by.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Barbey arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Normandie.
Origin & History of the Barbey Family in France
The history of the Barbey family in France is deeply rooted in the northern region of Normandy, where records confirm their presence as early as 1663. The name itself is thought to be a topographic or descriptive surname, likely originating from the Old French word "barbe," which means beard. In the social context of the seventeenth century, such names were often used to distinguish individuals based on physical traits or specific roles within a village community. By the mid-1600s, families like the Barbeys were often involved in the agricultural and artisanal life that defined the Norman countryside. As they established themselves in local parishes, they became part of the long-standing traditions of rural French society, contributing to the demographic growth of the region during the reign of King Louis XIV. Their early history reflects the typical movement and settlement patterns of families who lived through the transition from the medieval era into the more centralized administrative systems of early modern France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. three bars gobonated ar. and sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Barbey Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Barbey arms are recorded
The Barbey 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 France when the Barbey 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 Barbey Family in England
The Barbey family name has roots that trace back to the shifting landscapes of seventeenth-century England. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were established in the historic city of York. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, placing the family at the heart of a bustling urban center. The name likely evolved from regional naming traditions that identified individuals by their origins or specific occupations. As the family settled into the local community, they became part of the social fabric of the North of England during a time of significant cultural change. Their presence in York suggests they were integrated into the daily life of a city defined by its ancient walls and its role as a gateway to the north.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Barbe
Derived from the Latin word barba meaning beard.
This name
BarbeyA topographic or occupational name referring to a bearded man or someone with a prominent beard.
also spelled
Barbeie
Barbay
Barbe
Barby
Barbie
Related arms
Barbyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Albert Dauzat, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Marie-Thérèse Morlet, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
