Map of England showing where the Bushby arms are recorded
The Bushby 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 Bushby 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 Bushby Family in England
The surname Bushby is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. It is derived from the Old Norse words "buski," meaning a bush or thicket, and "by," which refers to a farmstead or village. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in the rugged landscape of Cumberland in Northern England. Historical records confirm that members of the Bushby family were living in this region by 1620, likely working as farmers or landowners in the rural communities near the border. Because Cumberland was a frontier area during this period, families often lived in tight-knit groups to manage the difficult terrain and navigate the changing political climate of the borderlands. Over time, the family name became firmly rooted in the local history of the county, reflecting the deep connection between the people and the land they inhabited.
Bushby Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Busby
A farmstead or village belonging to a person named Busi.
This name
BushbyDerived from a locational surname referring to a settlement in North Yorkshire.
also spelled
Bushbie
Bushbey
Bushbee
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Cumbria Archive Service, Kendal Archive Centre: Records of the Parish of Greystoke, 1620
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
