A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Durbin family of England.
Reg. 0624 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Erminois on a bend gu. three mullets ar”
EnglandBristol, c. 1620
Where the Durbin Arms Were Recorded
Bristol
Map of England showing where the Durbin arms are recorded
The Durbin arms were recorded in Bristol, c. 1620.
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 Durbin 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 Durbin Family in England
The Durbin family name has deep roots in the maritime history of Bristol, England, where members of the family were well-established by the early seventeenth century. During this period, Bristol served as a bustling hub for trade and exploration, and the Durbins were often associated with the city’s vital merchant and seafaring communities. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the French name D'Urban, which likely arrived in England through migration patterns across the English Channel. As the family settled into the social fabric of Bristol, they became involved in the city's growth during a time of significant transition. By the 1620s, the Durbin name was already recognized within local parish records, marking the family as a stable and enduring presence in the region long before many of their descendants traveled across the Atlantic to the American colonies.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
d'Urbin
Derived from the French place name Urbino or the Latin Urbinum.
This name
DurbinAn English habitational surname denoting someone who originated from the town of Urbino.
also spelled
Durbyn
Durben
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Latimer, John, The Annals of Bristol in the Seventeenth Century, 1900
Bristol Archives, Records of the Corporation of Bristol: Quarter Sessions and Mayor's Court, 1600–1650
Smith, John, Men and Armour for Gloucestershire in 1608, 1902
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
