A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Corbin family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3705 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au chev. de gu., acc. de trois oiseaux de sa. posés chacun sur une boule du sec.; le tout surm. d'une fasce en divise de gu. L'écu bordé de sa. Cq. cour. C.: un bras, arm. de sa., tenant un grèlier d'or. L. d'arg., de gu. et de sa.”
Germanyc. 1786
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Map of Germany showing where the Corbin arms are recorded
The Corbin arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1786.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Corbin arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Corbin Family in Germany
The family name Corbin has deep roots in the historical landscape of southern Germany, particularly within the region of Bavaria. By the late eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, living through a period of significant social and political transition. During the year 1786, the family was integrated into the local community, likely participating in the agricultural or trade-based economy that defined Bavarian life at the time. The name itself reflects the linguistic traditions of the region, where surnames often evolved from nicknames or descriptions of a person's character or occupation. As the family navigated the challenges of the late 1700s, they contributed to the steady growth of the local population and the preservation of regional customs. Their presence in Bavaria during this era serves as a clear link to the broader history of German migration and settlement patterns that shaped the country for generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
ravenConstancy and divine providence
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Ar. on a chief or, three ravens sa. (another) per pale gu. and az. on a chief engr. or, three ravens ppr. each charged on the breast with an erm. spot of the third”
GuernseyGuernsey, c. 1688
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The body that granted and recorded arms in Guernsey in this period.
James II of England
Sovereign of the period
James II of England
1685–1688
Reigning in Germany when the Corbin arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Guernsey
Arms in the Channel Islands were granted and recorded by the College of Arms in London, under the same law of arms as England. They could be used by all legitimate descendants of the original owner: the eldest son kept the original design, and other family members used the same shield without registering a version of their own.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms for Guernsey and the other Channel Islands 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 Guernsey.
Origin & History of the Corbin Family in Guernsey
The Corbin family has established a deep and enduring presence on the island of Guernsey, with documented records confirming their residence there by at least 1688. The name itself is thought to derive from the Old French word for a raven, which suggests that the earliest ancestors may have been identified by this bird as a nickname or a descriptive marker. During the late seventeenth century, the Corbins were part of the tight-knit community of islanders who navigated the unique legal and social landscape of the Channel Islands. As they settled into life on Guernsey, members of the family became integrated into the local economy and maritime culture that defined the region. Their survival and growth over the following centuries reflect the resilience of families who adapted to the specific challenges of island life, including the influence of both French and English traditions. By maintaining their presence through generations, the Corbins became a recognized part of the island’s historical fabric, contributing to the development of the local community long before modern record-keeping became standardized.
Corbin Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
corvus
Latin word meaning raven or crow.
This name
CorbinDerived from a nickname for someone with dark hair or a dark complexion.
also spelled
Corbyn
Korban
Corben
Related arms
Corbenvariant spelling
Corbynvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
ravenConstancy and divine providence
