Map of England showing where the Barsby arms are recorded
The Barsby arms were recorded in Cumberland, c. 1620.
Cumberland was rough border country in the north-west, facing Scotland across a disputed line. Its families held land in return for keeping it defended, and men who fought carried shields of their own.
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 Barsby 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 Cumberland.
Origin & History of the Barsby Family in England
The surname Barsby is a locative name, meaning it was originally taken from a specific place to identify the people who lived there. The name originates from the village of Barsby in Leicestershire, which was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Barnesbi. This name is derived from Old Norse, combining a personal name with the word for a farmstead or village. By the early 17th century, members of the family had migrated north to Cumberland. Records confirm their presence in this region by 1620, where they established themselves as part of the local community. This movement reflects the common patterns of internal migration in England during the Stuart period as families sought new opportunities in different counties.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bartholomaeus
Derived from the Aramaic name meaning son of Talmai or furrow.
This name
BarsbyA locational surname originating from a village in Leicestershire meaning Bartholomaeus's farmstead or settlement.
also spelled
Bresbie
Bresbey
Bresbay
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names. 1960
The National Archives. Cumberland Quarter Sessions Records, reference series Q/S
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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
