A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barby family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8226 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à la licorne saillante de gu. Cq. cour. C.: la licorne, iss. L. de gu. et d'azur.”
BrandenburgBrandenburg, c. 1765
Where the Barby Arms Were Recorded
Brandenburg
Map of Germany showing where the Barby arms are recorded
The Barby arms were recorded in Brandenburg, c. 1765.
Brandenburg was sandy farming country around Berlin, held in large estates by families who served as officers. Land and military service each brought arms, and most families there had both.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Barby arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Brandenburg.
Origin & History of the Barby Family in Germany
The name Barby is deeply rooted in the geography of medieval Germany, originating as a locative surname derived from the town of Barby located along the Elbe River. During the Middle Ages, families often adopted the names of the towns where they held land or served as local officials, which helped distinguish them in an era of growing populations. By the mid-18th century, members of the family had established a firm presence in the Brandenburg region, a territory known for its significant role in the expansion of the Prussian state. Records from 1765 confirm that the family was integrated into the social and administrative fabric of this area, likely participating in the agricultural or civil developments that defined Brandenburg during the reign of Frederick the Great. This transition from a town-based origin to a settled presence in the Prussian heartland reflects the broader movement of families seeking new opportunities across the German landscape during the Enlightenment.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Or, a lion ramp. gu. charged with a fesse of the field”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Barby Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Barby arms are recorded
The Barby 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 Germany when the Barby 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 Barby Family in Ireland
The history of the Barby name in Ireland is anchored by the presence of family members in Dublin as early as 1645. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political change, and the name likely arrived through migration patterns connected to the movement of merchants or administrative officials from England. While the name is not native to the Gaelic tradition, those who settled in the city became part of the urban fabric during a time of significant social upheaval. These early residents were likely involved in the professional or commercial life of the capital, as Dublin served as the primary gateway for families establishing themselves in the region during the mid-seventeenth century. Over time, the family integrated into the local community, leaving a footprint in the city’s historical records that reflects the broader story of migration and settlement in early modern Ireland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Barbarus
Latin term meaning foreign, strange, or non-Roman.
This name
BarbyA habitational name derived from the town of Barby in Saxony-Anhalt.
also spelled
Barbie
Barbey
Barbee
Related arms
Barbeyvariant spelling
Barbivariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Heckmann, Dieter. Die Verwaltung des Deutschen Ordens in Preußen, 2000
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
