Map of England showing where the Frisby arms are recorded
The Frisby arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 Frisby 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 York.
Origin & History of the Frisby Family in England
The surname Frisby is a locational name that originated in England, specifically from the village of Frisby in Leicestershire. The name itself is derived from Old Norse roots, combining the word for a Frisian person with the word for a farm or settlement. This suggests that the family’s earliest ancestors were likely of Scandinavian descent, settling in the East Midlands during the period of Viking influence in Britain. By the early 17th century, the family had expanded beyond their original home, establishing a notable presence in the historic city of York by 1620. During this era, families often moved to major urban centers like York to pursue new opportunities in trade or local governance. This migration pattern reflects the broader movement of English families as they transitioned from rural village life to the growing economic hubs of the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Frisby
Old Norse for Frisian settlement or farmstead.
This name
FrisbyA habitational name derived from a village in Leicestershire, England, denoting a settlement of Frisians.
also spelled
Rysby
Risbie
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cinquefoilHope and joy
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cinquefoilHope and joy
