A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Darby family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0064 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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. battelly or and az. three eagles displ. counterchanged”
DorsetDorset, c. 1620
Where the Darby Arms Were Recorded
Dorset
Map of England showing where the Darby arms are recorded
The Darby arms were recorded in Dorset, c. 1620.
Dorset was quiet farming and grazing country along the south coast. Its gentry were middling rather than grand, but they held their manors for a very long time, and long holding is what puts a name in the records.
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 Darby 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 Dorset.
Origin & History of the Darby Family in England
The family name Darby has deep roots in England, originating as a topographic or locational surname derived from the town of Derby. In the Middle Ages, people often adopted names based on the places they lived or traveled from, and those who moved away from the town of Derby were frequently identified by their connection to that location. By the time members of the family were documented in Dorset in 1620, the name had already been established for several centuries across various English counties. These early ancestors in Dorset were part of a period of significant social movement, as families began to settle into specific regions and build local legacies. The name reflects a history of migration and regional identity that helped shape the social landscape of seventeenth-century England.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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. battelly az. and erminois, three eagles displ. two and one, each charged on the breast with an escallop, all counterchanged”
IrelandStoke Court, c. 1645
Where the Darby Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Darby arms are recorded
The Darby arms were recorded in Stoke Court, 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 England when the Darby 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 Darby Family in Ireland
The history of the Darby name in Ireland is deeply connected to the social and political shifts of the seventeenth century. While the name has roots in Old English and Norse traditions, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in Dublin by 1645. During this period, Dublin served as a central hub for trade and administration, attracting families who were often involved in the city’s growing merchant class. As the seventeenth century progressed, the Darby family became part of the complex landscape of colonial Ireland, often appearing in legal documents and property records related to the city’s expansion. Their presence in the capital suggests they were active participants in the urban development and economic life of the era, helping to anchor the name within the Irish historical narrative long before it spread to other parts of the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Deoraby
Old Norse for deer village or settlement.
This name
DarbyA habitational name derived from the town of Derby, signifying a place where deer are found.
also spelled
Derby
Darbie
Darbey
Related arms
Derbyvariant spelling
Benistedrecorded with Darby, same area
Brograverecorded with Darby, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
Dorset History Centre, Dorset Parish Registers, 1620
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
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
