A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Duxbury family of England.
Reg. 7167 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
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)
“Gu. a cross voided ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Duxbury Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Duxbury arms are recorded
The Duxbury 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 England when the Duxbury 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 Duxbury Family in England
The surname Duxbury is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. It is derived from the township of Duxbury located in the county of Lancashire, England. The name itself comes from the Old English words "dyke," meaning a ditch or embankment, and "burh," which refers to a fortified place or manor. By the early 17th century, members of the family had moved away from their ancestral roots in the northwest to establish themselves in other parts of England. Records confirm that the family was present in the city of York by 1620, where they integrated into the local community during a period of significant social and political change. This migration reflects the broader movement of families during the Stuart era as they sought new opportunities in growing urban centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dux + burh
A leader or duke and a fortified settlement or town.
This name
DuxburyRefers to a fortified place or town belonging to a leader or duke.
also spelled
Duxberry
Duxburie
Duxberrie
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Place-Names of Lancashire. 1922
Farrer, William and Brownbill, John. A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 6. 1911
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
