A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barnaby family of England.
Reg. 2508 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Ar. on a fesse flory counterflory vert. betw. three boars' heads couped sa. two trefoils slipped erminois”
EssexColchester · Essex, c. 1620
Where the Barnaby Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Barnaby arms are recorded
The Barnaby arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Barnaby 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Barnaby Family in England
The surname Barnaby is derived from the ancient given name Barnabas, which has roots in both Aramaic and Greek. Over many centuries, this name evolved into a hereditary surname as families began to adopt permanent identifiers to distinguish themselves within their communities. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Barnaby family were well-established in the county of Essex, England. During this period, families in the region were often tied to the land through agriculture or local trades. As the name spread across the English countryside, it became a marker of a family’s long-standing presence in their local parish. These early ancestors lived through a time of significant social change, helping to shape the history of their home county through their daily work and community involvement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Barnabas
Aramaic for son of consolation or son of encouragement.
This name
BarnabyAn English patronymic surname derived from the biblical given name meaning son of the prophet.
also spelled
Barnabie
Barneby
Barnabey
Related arms
Barnebyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
Essex Record Office, Parish Registers of Essex, 1620
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
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
