A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Coningsby family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3339 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
rabbitOne who lives peaceably and well
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à trois lapins assis d'arg. Cq. cour. C.: un lapin assis d'arg., devant un panache de plumes d'aut. du même. S.: deux lions de gu., cour. d'or, chacun ch. sur l'épaule de trois bill. du même, 2 et 1. D.: 1° VESTIGIA NULLA RETRORSUM; 2° JUSTI TERRAM INCOLENT.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Coningsby Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Coningsby arms are recorded
The Coningsby arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Coningsby 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 Coningsby Family in France
The family name Coningsby possesses deep roots that trace back to the rugged landscape of Brittany in northwestern France. By the early eighteenth century, members of this lineage were well established within the region, living among a population defined by its distinct Celtic heritage and maritime traditions. The name itself reflects a linguistic evolution, likely originating from Old English or Old Norse terms meaning the king's village or the king's estate. While the family became prominent in other parts of Europe later on, their presence in Brittany during 1725 suggests they were part of a mobile class of people who moved across the English Channel for trade, diplomacy, or military service. These early ancestors lived through a time of significant social change in France, navigating the complex political landscape of the Ancien Régime while maintaining their unique family identity. Their history in this coastal province highlights the long-standing connections between the French territories and the British Isles, illustrating how families often bridged these two worlds long before modern borders were strictly defined.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
rabbitOne who lives peaceably and well
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. three conies sejant ar. within a bordure engr. sa”
NorfolkNorfolk, c. 1620
Where the Coningsby Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Coningsby arms are recorded
The Coningsby arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Coningsby 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Coningsby Family in England
The surname Coningsby originates from the geographical landscape of medieval England, specifically derived from the Old Norse and Old English roots meaning the king’s village or estate. While the family established a notable presence in Norfolk by 1620, their roots trace back much further to the northern and midland regions of the country where they held land and served in local administration. During the medieval period, the name was closely associated with the shifting power dynamics of the English aristocracy, as members of the family frequently acted as legal officials and advisors to the crown. As the family moved across different counties, they integrated into the local gentry by managing estates and participating in regional governance. By the time they were documented in Norfolk in the early seventeenth century, the Coningsby name already carried a long history of involvement in the social and political life of the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cyning
Old English term for a king or tribal leader.
This name
ConingsbyRefers to a person who lived at or near the king's village or estate.
also spelled
Coningsbey
Coningsbie
Conyngesby
Related arms
Conesbyvariant spelling
Ashetonrecorded with Coningsby, same area
Caswellrecorded with Coningsby, same area
Sheldonrecorded with Coningsby, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Gautier, René, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1993
Jones, Michael, The Creation of Brittany: A Late Medieval State, 1988
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
rabbitOne who lives peaceably and well
rabbitOne who lives peaceably and well
bordureA difference between branches of one family
