A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Byng family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2893 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec. de sa. et d'arg., le 1 ch. d'un lion du sec. C.: une antelope arrêtée d'herm., accornée, onglée et crinée d'or. S.: à dextre une antelope pareille à celle du cimier; à sen. un cheval marin; soutenus chacun d'un tube de canon au nat. D.: TUEBOR.”
Francec. 1715
Where the Byng Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Byng arms are recorded
The Byng arms were recorded in France, c. 1715.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 Byng 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 France.
Origin & History of the Byng Family in France
The history of the Byng family name in France is deeply tied to the coastal region of Bretagne, where members of the family were documented as early as 1715. During this period, the name appeared within the context of trade and maritime connections that linked the British Isles to the western ports of France. Many families during the eighteenth century moved across the English Channel for business or political reasons, often settling in port cities like Saint-Malo or Nantes to manage commercial interests. The presence of the Byng name in Bretagne suggests that these early ancestors were likely part of a network of merchants or expatriates who maintained strong ties to their homeland while integrating into the local French economy. By living in this distinct region, the family became part of the long history of cultural exchange between the Breton people and their neighbors across the sea.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Quarterly, sa. and ar., in the 1st quarter a lion, ramp. of the second”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Byng Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Byng arms are recorded
The Byng 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 Byng 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 Byng Family in England
The surname Byng is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a topographic name for someone who lived near a specific enclosure or a piece of enclosed land. While the name is associated with various regions, historical records confirm that members of the Byng family were well-established in the city of York by 1620. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, and families like the Byngs often participated in the local civic and merchant life of the city. As the family grew, they moved beyond their initial northern roots to become influential figures in English politics and military service. The name itself reflects the linguistic evolution of early English surnames, which were often adopted to describe a person’s home or their specific role within a local community. By the seventeenth century, the Byng name was already firmly woven into the social fabric of northern England, setting the stage for the family to gain greater prominence in the centuries that followed.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bing
A heap or a pile of grain or earth.
This name
ByngA topographical name for someone who lived near a mound or a storage pile.
also spelled
Bynge
Byngg
Byngh
Bing
Binge
Related arms
Bingvariant spelling
Bingevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B, Fonds de l'Amirauté de Saint-Malo
Archives départementales de Loire-Atlantique, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Delumeau, Jean, Le mouvement du port de Saint-Malo à la fin du XVIIe siècle, 1966
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
