A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Digby family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 9513 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à une fleur-de-lis d'arg. C.: une autruche d'arg., tenant en son bec un fer-à-cheval d'or. S.: deux singes au nat., ceints et enchaînés d'or. D.: DEO, NON FORTUNA.”
Francec. 1620
Where the Digby Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Digby arms are recorded
The Digby arms were recorded in France, c. 1620.
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 XIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIII of France
1617–1643
Reigning in France when the Digby 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 Digby Family in France
The history of the Digby name in France is deeply tied to the coastal region of Brittany during the early seventeenth century. While the name is often associated with English roots, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the Breton countryside by 1620. During this period, Brittany functioned as a unique province with its own legal customs and strong maritime connections to the rest of Europe. Families like the Digbys often moved across the English Channel to navigate shifting political alliances and religious tensions. By settling in this region, they integrated into the local social fabric, likely participating in the agricultural or merchant activities that defined the Breton economy at the time. Their presence in France highlights how families frequently crossed borders to find new opportunities, blending their ancestral identity with the distinct cultural traditions of their new home.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. a fleur-de-lis ar”
RutlandDrystoke · Rutland, c. 1620
Where the Digby Arms Were Recorded
Rutland
Map of England showing where the Digby arms are recorded
The Digby arms were recorded in Rutland, c. 1620.
Rutland is the smallest English county, but its land was good and its manors were held by families of standing. A small county with good land still produces its share of recorded 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 Digby 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 Rutland.
Origin & History of the Digby Family in England
The surname Digby originates from a place name in the county of Lincolnshire, where the village of Digby served as the ancestral home for the family during the Middle Ages. The name itself is derived from Old Norse roots, combining a personal name with the word for a farm or settlement. By the time the family established a prominent presence in Rutland during the early 17th century, they had already spent generations rising through the ranks of the English gentry. Their move into Rutland was marked by significant influence in local politics and land ownership, which helped solidify their status as a notable family in the region. This transition from their Lincolnshire origins to their well-documented life in Rutland reflects the broader movement of ambitious families who sought to expand their estates and social standing across the English countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. a fleur-de-lis ar., for diff. a fleur-de-lis charged with a crescent”
DublinDigby · Dublin, c. 1809
Where the Digby Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Digby arms are recorded
The Digby arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1809.
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.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1801–1820
Reigning in France when the Digby 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 Dublin.
Origin & History of the Digby Family in Ireland
The Digby family name arrived in Ireland primarily through the influence of English settlement during the seventeenth century. While the name originated in the English county of Leicestershire, members of the family established a significant presence in Dublin by the early nineteenth century. By 1809, records indicate that the Digbys were integrated into the professional and social life of the city. They often held positions within the administration and the Church of Ireland during this period. As they settled into their new home, the family became part of the complex social fabric of urban Dublin. Their history reflects the broader movement of families who relocated across the Irish Sea to pursue new opportunities in trade, governance, and public service.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dicby
Old Norse for dike or ditch settlement
This name
DigbyA locational surname originating from a village in Lincolnshire, England, derived from a ditch or embankment.
also spelled
Digbie
Digbey
Digbye
Digbee
Dygby
Related arms
Bishopberyrecorded with Digby, same area
Fitz-Geraldrecorded with Digby, same area
Shipmanrecorded with Digby, same area
Tudorrecorded with Digby, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Fonds de la juridiction de Rennes)
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Pocquet du Haut-Jussé, Barthélemy, La Bretagne au XVIIe siècle, 1935
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fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
