A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the de Courcy family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4188 · Britain, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. à trois aigles de gu., cour. d'or. Cq. cour. C.: une aigle d'arg. S.: deux licornes d'azur, accornées, onglées et crinées d'or, coll. chacune d'une couronne d'or composée alt. de croix pattées et de fleurs-de-lis. D.: VINCIT OMNIA VERITAS.”
Britainc. 1181
Where the de Courcy Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the de Courcy arms are recorded
The de Courcy arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1181.
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.
Henry II of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry II of England
1154–1189
Reigning in Britain when the de Courcy 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 de Courcy Family in Britain
The history of the de Courcy family in Britain began to take firm root during the late twelfth century, marking a significant transition from their continental origins to the English landscape. While the family name traces its roots to the village of Courcy in Normandy, historical records confirm their presence in Kent as early as 1181, where they integrated into the local administrative and social structures of the region. This period was defined by the family’s close ties to the royal court and their involvement in the shifting political landscape following the Norman Conquest. As they established themselves in Kent, the de Courcys became active participants in the management of land and local governance, reflecting the broader movement of Anglo-Norman families who solidified their influence through service to the crown. Their early history in Britain is characterized by this steady integration into the English aristocracy, moving from their initial roles as landholders to becoming integral figures in the regional history of southeastern England.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. three eagles displ. gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the de Courcy Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the de Courcy arms are recorded
The de Courcy 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 Britain when the de Courcy 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 de Courcy Family in England
The family name de Courcy traces its roots back to the arrival of Norman settlers in England following the events of 1066. While the name originated in the Normandy region of France, members of the family quickly integrated into the English social and political landscape. By the early seventeenth century, records confirm that the family had established a notable presence in the city of York by 1620. During this period, the family lived as part of the growing urban population in northern England, adapting to the shifting economic conditions of the Stuart era. Their transition from continental origins to established residents of York highlights the broader movement of families who settled in English cities to pursue trade, civic life, and local influence.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Curciacum
A Gallo-Roman estate belonging to a person named Curtius.
This name
de CourcyRefers to an individual originating from the village of Courcy in Normandy.
also spelled
Courcy
de Koorsi
DeCoursey
Curcy
Related arms
Courcyvariant spelling
Courcivariant spelling
De Cowcyvariant spelling
Harrisrecorded with de Courcy, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Pipe Roll Society, The Great Roll of the Pipe for the Twenty-Seventh Year of the Reign of King Henry the Second, A.D. 1180-1181, 1909
Round, J. Horace, Feudal England: Historical Studies on the XIth and XIIth Centuries, 1895
The National Archives, Pipe Rolls (Chancellor's Rolls), E 372/27
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
