A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Crosbie family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 7397 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
handFaith, sincerity and justice
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“D'arg. au lion de sa., acc. en chef de deux mains dextres appaumées de gu. C.: trois épées, dont deux passées en saut., les pointes en bas, et la troisième br. en pal, la pointe en haut, liées d'un serpent au nat. S.: deux léopards reg. au nat., coll. de couronnes d'or et enchaînés du même. D.: INDIGNANTE INVIDIA FLOREBIT JUSTUS.”
Francec. 1758
Where the Crosbie Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Crosbie arms are recorded
The Crosbie arms were recorded in France, c. 1758.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Crosbie arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Crosbie Family in France
The family name Crosbie has deep roots that trace back to the rugged landscape of Bretagne, France, where members of the family were documented as early as 1758. During this period, the region was a center of maritime activity and agricultural tradition, which likely shaped the daily lives of those bearing the name. The name itself is thought to be locational in origin, often linked to areas featuring a cross or a specific religious landmark. By the mid-eighteenth century, the Crosbie family was well-integrated into the local social fabric of the province. Their presence in Bretagne suggests they were part of a community that valued regional identity and local land ownership. As the family navigated the changing political climate of pre-revolutionary France, they maintained their ties to the coastal environment that defined their early history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
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 lion ramp. sa. betw. three dexter hands couped and erect gu”
Englandc. 1616
Where the Crosbie Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Crosbie arms are recorded
The Crosbie arms were recorded in England, c. 1616.
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 France when the Crosbie 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 Crosbie Family in England
The surname Crosbie is a locational name that originated from places in Northern England where the influence of Old Norse settlers was strong. The name is derived from the Old Norse words "kross," meaning a cross, and "by," meaning a farmstead or village. This suggests that the earliest families bearing the name lived near a prominent stone cross or a site dedicated to religious worship. By the early 17th century, the family had established a clear presence in the city of York, which was a major hub for trade and administration in Northern England. Records from 1616 confirm that individuals with this name were active within the city, likely participating in the local merchant guilds or the skilled trades that defined York’s economy during the Stuart period. As the family grew, they moved through the northern counties, leaving behind a legacy tied to the landscape and the evolving social structures of early modern England.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
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 chev. ar. and sa. in chief four guttées and in base three of the same counterchanged”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Crosbie Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Crosbie arms are recorded
The Crosbie arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 France when the Crosbie 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 Ireland.
Origin & History of the Crosbie Family in Ireland
The Crosbie family name holds a significant place in Irish history, particularly through its deep roots in the administrative and political life of the seventeenth century. By 1645, members of the family were well-established in Dublin, where they participated in the complex social and legal structures of the city during a period of great upheaval. The name itself is thought to have origins in the north of England or Scotland, likely derived from a place name meaning a village with a cross. As the family moved into Ireland, they became closely tied to the state and the church, often serving as government officials or landowners. Their presence in Dublin during the mid-1600s suggests they were part of the growing class of settlers who helped shape the governance and urban development of the capital. Over time, the family expanded their influence across different Irish counties, leaving a lasting mark on the local history of the regions where they settled.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kross-byr
A settlement or village located near a cross.
This name
CrosbieDerived from Old Norse, referring to someone who lived near a roadside cross.
also spelled
Crosby
Krosbie
Crosbee
Crosbey
Crossby
Related arms
Closbyvariant spelling
Crosbyvariant spelling
Crossbyvariant spelling
Gordonrecorded with Crosbie, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série B, Fonds de l'Amirauté de Brest
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
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saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
handFaith, sincerity and justice
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
handFaith, sincerity and justice
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
