A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Corben family of England.
Reg. 3928 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. on a chief sa. three moorcocks or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Corben Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Corben arms are recorded
The Corben 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 England when the Corben 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 Corben Family in England
The name Corben is rooted in the medieval period and likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a locational identifier. Many surnames from this era were derived from the Old French word "corb," which means raven, suggesting that early ancestors may have been known for their dark hair or a sharp, observant nature. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Corben family were well-established in the historic city of York. During this time, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families living there were often involved in the city's influential guilds or local government. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Northern England, living through a period of significant political change and urban development. Their presence in such a prominent city indicates that the family was likely integrated into the professional or merchant classes of the early seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Corvus
Latin word for a raven or crow.
This name
CorbenDerived from a nickname for a dark-haired person or someone with a raven-like appearance.
also spelled
Corbin
Corbyn
Related arms
Corbinvariant spelling
Corbynvariant spelling
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
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, York City Archives: House Books, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
