Map of England showing where the Coraci arms are recorded
The Coraci arms were recorded in Somerset, c. 1620.
Somerset was rich farming country with a thick scattering of manor houses. Its gentry were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with 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 England when the Coraci 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 Somerset.
Origin & History of the Coraci Family in England
The history of the Coraci family name is deeply rooted in the Mediterranean region, where it likely originated as a descriptive surname. Etymologists often link the name to the Italian word for a crow or raven, suggesting that early ancestors may have been known for their dark hair or keen observation skills. By the early seventeenth century, members of the family had migrated to England, establishing a documented presence in Somerset by 1620. During this period, the family integrated into the local agricultural and merchant communities of the English countryside. Their transition from continental Europe to the West Country reflects the broader patterns of movement and trade that defined the era. Over time, the family adapted to their new environment while maintaining the distinct identity associated with their ancestral name.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
corax
Latin word for raven or crow.
This name
CoraciA locative or occupational surname derived from the Latin term for a raven.
also spelled
Courcy
Curcy
DeCourcy
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Somerset Archives, Quarter Sessions Records, 1620
Smith, Elsdon C., American Surnames, 1969
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eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
