Map of Belgium showing where the Corboy arms are recorded
The Corboy arms were recorded in Tournaisis, c. 1737.
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 Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Belgium when the Corboy arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Belgium.
Origin & History of the Corboy Family in Belgium
The Corboy family name has deep roots in the region of Tournaisis, where records confirm their presence as early as 1737. During this period, the area was a focal point of shifting borders and complex administrative changes under the Austrian Netherlands. Families living in this part of Belgium often navigated a landscape defined by strong local traditions and the influence of the nearby city of Tournai. As the Corboy name became established in the local community, its members were likely integrated into the agricultural and trade networks that sustained the region. By documenting their lives in local parish registers and civil records, these early ancestors left a clear trail of their existence in a society that valued community ties and regional identity. This historical presence in Tournaisis serves as a testament to the family's long-standing connection to the social fabric of the Belgian landscape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
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)
“Ar. a saltire engr. sa”
Englandc. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Corboy arms are recorded
The Corboy 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 Belgium when the Corboy 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 Corboy Family in England
The history of the Corboy name in England is deeply rooted in the social and economic landscape of the seventeenth century. By 1620, records confirm the presence of the family in the historic city of York, which served as a major northern hub for trade and administration during the Stuart period. At this time, York was a center for craftsmen and merchants, and families like the Corboys were often integrated into the local parish structures that governed daily life. The name likely evolved as a descriptive identifier or a localized occupational surname, reflecting the movement of people across the northern counties. During this era, families in York were frequently documented through baptismal and burial registers kept by the Church of England, which provide the primary evidence for their residence and community involvement. As the family established itself in the region, they became part of the growing urban population that defined the character of York before the disruptions of the English Civil War.
Corboy Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Corvus
Latin term for a raven or crow.
This name
CorboyDerived from a nickname for a dark-haired person or one with a raven-like appearance.
also spelled
Corbie
Corbey
Korbi
Corbe
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de l'État à Tournai, Registres paroissiaux de l'ancien régime, 1737
Dion, R., Histoire des frontières de France, 1979
Rolland, P., Histoire de Tournai, 1956
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
