A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cosby family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5862 · Britain, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
handFaith, sincerity and justice
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: au 1 d'arg. au chev. de sa., acc. de trois têtes de léopard du même; au fr.-q. d'or, ch. d'un saut. de sin., acc. en chef d'une croisette recr. de gu., à dextre d'un lézard en pal de sin., à sen. d'un saumon nageant au nat. et en p. d'une main dextre coupée de gu.; au 2 d'azur à trois fers de prisonnier d'or, et au canton d'arg. ch. d'un saut. de gu., acc. en chef d'une main sen. coupée du même, et à dextre, à sen. et en p. d'un saumon nageant de sin.; aux 3 d'or au phéon d'azur; au 4 d'arg. à deux fasces parties d'azur et de gu., acc. de trois tourt. de sa., rangés en chef. C.: un griffon de gu., tenant une lance brisée d'or, armée d'arg. T.: à dextre un cerf au nat., et à sen. un léopard lionné de sa., coll. chacun d'une couronne d'or, enchaînée du même. D.: SUB LIBERTATE QUIETEM.”
Britainc. 1768
Where the Cosby Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Cosby arms are recorded
The Cosby arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1768.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Britain in this period.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1760–1801
Reigning in Britain when the Cosby arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Cosby Family in Britain
The surname Cosby traces its roots to the English landscape, where it emerged as a locational name derived from ancient settlements. While the name is often associated with the village of Cosby in Leicestershire, members of the family established a notable presence in the county of Kent by the mid-eighteenth century. By 1768, records indicate that individuals bearing the name were integrated into the local community, likely participating in the agricultural and trade-based economy that defined the region during that era. The family name reflects the common practice of the time where people were identified by the specific place they inhabited or originated from. As the family moved and settled in different parts of Britain, they contributed to the local social fabric while maintaining the historical identity tied to their ancestral roots.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cross symbolChristian faith and service
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
handFaith, sincerity and justice
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Quarterly, 1st, ar. a chev. betw. three leopards' faces sa. on a canton or, a saltire vert, betw. a cross crosslet in chief gu. a lizard erect in the dexter and a salmon in the sinister fesse point of the fourth, and a dexter hand couped in base of the fifth, for Cosby; 2nd, az. three shackles or, on a canton ar. a saltire gu. betw. a sinister hand couped in chief of the last, two salmons in fesse and one in base vert, for Cosby; 3rd, or, a pheon az., for Sidney; 4th, ar. two bars per pale indented az. and gu. in chief three pellets, for Dodwell”
LincolnStradbally Hall · Lincoln, c. 1645
Where the Cosby Arms Were Recorded
Map of Ireland showing where the Cosby arms are recorded
The Cosby arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1645.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Britain when the Cosby arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Cosby Family in Ireland
The history of the Cosby family in Ireland is deeply connected to the period of English settlement during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The family originally established their roots in Leicestershire, England, before moving across the Irish Sea to secure land and influence. By the mid-1600s, members of the family were well-documented in various parts of the British Isles, including records from Lincoln in 1645. Shortly after this time, the Irish branch of the family became prominent landowners in County Laois, particularly around the area of Stradbally. They played a significant role in the local administration and military life of the region as they helped manage the estates granted to them by the English Crown. Over several generations, the family integrated into the social and political fabric of Ireland, transitioning from newcomers to established members of the landed gentry.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kossa
Old Norse personal name meaning cauldron or vessel.
This name
CosbyDerived from a place name meaning the settlement or farmstead belonging to Kossa.
also spelled
Kosby
Cozby
Cosbie
Coseby
Cosbey
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Quarter Sessions Records for the County of Kent, 1768
Kent History and Library Centre, Parish Registers of Kent, 1768
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
handFaith, sincerity and justice
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
