A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Formby family of England.
Reg. 4397 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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. a lion ramp. gu. on a chief az. two doves ppr”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Formby Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Formby arms are recorded
The Formby 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 Formby 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 Formby Family in England
The surname Formby is a locative name, which means it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. The name is derived from the village of Formby located on the coast of Lancashire, England. The name itself comes from Old Norse roots, combining the word for a settlement with a personal name, effectively meaning the homestead of a man named Forni. While the family had deep roots in the northwest of England, records confirm that members of the family had established themselves in the city of York by 1620. During this period, families often moved toward major regional hubs like York to pursue new opportunities in trade, law, or the church. This migration helped spread the name beyond its original coastal origins and integrated the family into the bustling urban life of northern England during the early seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Forn
Old Norse personal name meaning fox or cunning.
This name
FormbyA settlement or farmstead belonging to a person named Forn.
also spelled
Formeby
Formbie
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 3. 1907
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York. Probate Records of the Prerogative and Exchequer Courts of York
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
