A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Danby family of England.
Reg. 6370 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
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. three chevronels braced, in the base point of the escutcheon sa. on a chief of the second three mullets of the first”
YorkDanby · York, c. 1620
Where the Danby Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Danby arms are recorded
The Danby arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 England when the Danby 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 York.
Origin & History of the Danby Family in England
The surname Danby is a locative name, which means it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or personal trait. The name is derived from the Old Norse words "dan" and "by," which together translate to the settlement or village of the Danes. This suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family likely lived in or near a community established by Danish settlers in Northern England. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Danby family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religion, and families with deep roots in the region often played significant roles in local commerce and civic life. The movement of the family from rural northern settlements into the urban environment of York reflects the broader social shifts occurring in England during the early seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dane + by
Old Norse for Danish person and a farmstead or village settlement.
This name
DanbyA locational surname referring to a settlement established by Danish settlers.
also spelled
Danbie
Danbey
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Smith, A.H., The Place-Names of the North Riding of Yorkshire, 1928
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
