Map of England showing where the Corbett arms are recorded
The Corbett arms were recorded in Worcester, c. 1288.
Worcestershire was orchard and farming country with a scattering of old manors. Its gentry were middling rather than great, but a manor was a manor, and holding one was what brought 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.
Edward I of England
Sovereign of the period
Edward I of England
1272–1307
Reigning in England when the Corbett 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 Worcester.
Origin & History of the Corbett Family in England
The surname Corbett has deep roots in the history of medieval England, emerging as a name that often described a person’s physical appearance or character. The name is derived from the Old French word "corbet," which means a raven or a little crow. By the late thirteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Worcester. Records from 1288 confirm that members of the Corbett family were active in this region, participating in the local social and economic life of the time. During this period, families often settled in specific counties where they served as landowners or local officials. The migration of the name across the English landscape reflects the broader patterns of movement and settlement that defined the Middle Ages. Over time, these early residents of Worcester helped anchor the name within the English records, allowing it to persist through centuries of social change.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 fesse ar. and sa. a fesse betw. six crosses crosslet counterchanged”
Netherlandsc. 1815
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Map of Netherlands showing where the Corbett arms are recorded
The Corbett arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry 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.
Region
Friesland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Corbett Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in England when the Corbett arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Corbett Family in Netherlands
The history of the Corbett name in the Netherlands is deeply connected to the northern region of Friesland. While the name has roots in other parts of Europe, records confirm that families bearing this surname were established in the Frisian landscape by 1815. During this period, the Netherlands underwent significant social changes as it transitioned into a modern kingdom following the Napoleonic era. Families in Friesland often lived in close-knit agricultural communities where names were carefully recorded in local civil registries. The presence of the Corbett name in these early Dutch records suggests that these individuals were part of the local population during a time when the Dutch government began standardizing naming practices for all citizens. By settling in this unique region, the early Corbett family members became part of the distinct cultural and linguistic history that defines the Frisian people.
Corbett Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
corbeau
A French word meaning raven or crow.
This name
CorbettA nickname for someone with dark hair or a dark complexion like a raven.
also spelled
Corbatt
Related arms
Manbyrecorded with Corbett, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Worcestershire Archives, Court Rolls of the Manor of Worcester, 1288
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bordureA difference between branches of one family
ravenConstancy and divine providence
bordureA difference between branches of one family
ravenConstancy and divine providence
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
