Map of Wales showing where the Derbyshire arms are recorded
The Derbyshire arms were recorded in Carnarvon, c. 1647.
Carnarvonshire was mountain country in north-west Wales with a royal castle on its coast. Land was held in small estates by families who stayed for centuries, and long tenure brought 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Wales when the Derbyshire arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Carnarvon.
Origin & History of the Derbyshire Family in Wales
The surname Derbyshire is a locative name, meaning it was originally used to identify individuals who migrated from the county of Derbyshire in the English Midlands. During the medieval period, people often adopted the name of their home region as a way to distinguish themselves when they moved to new towns or cities. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Carnarvon, which is now known as Caernarfon in North Wales. Records from 1647 confirm that family members were living in this historic area, likely drawn there by the region's importance as a center for trade and military administration. This migration pattern reflects the broader movement of people across the British Isles during the seventeenth century as families sought new opportunities in growing coastal communities.
Derbyshire Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Deor
Old English term for a wild animal or deer.
This name
DerbyshireA habitational name referring to someone from the county of Derby.
also spelled
Derbyshire
Darbeshire
Darbyshire
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
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain, 1890
Gwynedd Archives, Caernarfon Quarter Sessions Records, 1647
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
lionCourage, strength and royalty
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
lionCourage, strength and royalty
