A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cob family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4768 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
duckResourcefulness on land and water
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Per chev. gu. and sa. two shovellers in chief ar. and a fish naiant in base or”
DevonDevon, c. 1520
Where the Cob Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the Cob arms are recorded
The Cob arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1520.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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.
Henry VIII of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VIII of England
1509–1547
Reigning in England when the Cob 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Cob Family in England
The surname Cob is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a shortened form of a given name like Jacob. By the early sixteenth century, historical records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the county of Devon. During this period, the region was a bustling hub of agriculture and trade, and families like the Cobs were often tied to the local land and parish communities. Life in Devon during the 1520s meant living through a time of significant social change as the influence of the church shifted and the local economy began to modernize. These early ancestors were likely farmers or skilled tradespeople who helped shape the rural identity of the West Country. Their presence in the official records of the era provides a clear link to the deep history of the region and shows that the family was an active part of English village life for centuries.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. a fesse ar. in chief two swans of the last”
DublinNewbridge · Dublin, c. 1645
Where the Cob Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Cob arms are recorded
The Cob arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1645.
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 England when the Cob 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 Dublin.
Origin & History of the Cob Family in Ireland
The family name Cob has roots that trace back to the mid-seventeenth century in Ireland, with documented evidence placing members of the family in Dublin as early as 1645. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political transition, and families with this name were likely involved in the urban economy of the city. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older occupational or descriptive surnames that were common in medieval England and later brought to Ireland through migration. As the family settled into the social fabric of Dublin, they became part of the growing population of merchants and tradespeople who helped shape the city during the mid-1600s. While records from this era are often fragmented due to the historical instability of the time, the presence of the Cob name in official city documents confirms their integration into the Irish capital during a pivotal century of change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Jacob
Derived from the Hebrew name Yaakov meaning supplanter or held by the heel.
This name
CobA medieval diminutive or pet form of the name Jacob used as a surname.
also spelled
Cob
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, 1958
The National Archives, Early Chancery Proceedings, C 1/504/30 (Record of a legal dispute involving a Cob in Devon, circa 1520)
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Records of Devon, 1520
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
duckResourcefulness on land and water
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
duckResourcefulness on land and water
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
