A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gilby family of England.
Reg. 3866 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 fesse wavy ar. betw. three estoiles or”
LincolnStaynton · Lincoln, c. 1620
Where the Gilby Arms Were Recorded
Lincoln
Map of England showing where the Gilby arms are recorded
The Gilby arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1620.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Gilby 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Gilby Family in England
The surname Gilby is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, specifically within the northern regions where Old Norse influences shaped local naming traditions. The name is generally considered a locative surname, meaning it likely originated from a place name composed of the Old Norse word "gil," meaning a ravine or narrow valley, and "by," meaning a farmstead or village. By the time the family was firmly established in Lincoln in 1620, they were part of a long-standing tradition of English families who took their identity from the specific geography of their ancestral homes. During the early 17th century, the Gilby family in Lincoln lived through a period of significant social change as the city served as a hub for trade and religious activity. Their presence in the city records during this era suggests they were well-integrated into the local community, likely participating in the agricultural or merchant life that defined the region at the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gisli-byr
Old Norse for hostage or pledge combined with a farmstead or village.
This name
GilbyRefers to a person who lived at or originated from a hostage's farmstead.
also spelled
Gilbie
Gylby
Gylbie
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Mills, A.D., A Dictionary of British Place-Names, 2011
Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln City Council Records: Quarter Sessions and Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
