A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hornby family of England.
Reg. 7364 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
legStrength and swiftness
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Or, two chevronels betw. three buglehorns, the mouths to dexter sa. on a chief of the last three eagles' legs erased of the first; this family also bore: Or, a chev. betw. three buglehorns, mouths to sinister sa”
LancasterDalton Hall · Lancaster, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Hornby arms are recorded
The Hornby arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 Hornby 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Hornby Family in England
The surname Hornby is a locational name that originated from the village of Hornby in Lancashire, England. During the medieval period, people often adopted the name of their home village as a way to identify themselves when they traveled to new areas. The name itself combines the Old Norse personal name Horn with the Old English suffix by, which refers to a farmstead or a village. By the early 17th century, the family had firmly established roots in the Lancaster region, as evidenced by records placing them there in 1620. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the agricultural and civic life of the North West of England for generations. This connection to the land and the specific geography of Lancashire remains the defining feature of the family history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Horn-by
Old Norse horn meaning corner or bend and byr meaning farmstead.
This name
HornbyA habitational name referring to a farmstead situated at a corner or bend.
also spelled
Hornbie
Hornbay
Hornbey
Related arms
Hornbeyvariant spelling
Colerecorded with Hornby, same area
Grayrecorded with Hornby, same area
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
Mills, A.D. A Dictionary of English Place-Names. 1991
Lancashire Archives, Lancaster Parish Church Baptism, Marriage and Burial Registers, PR 3052
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
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
legStrength and swiftness
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
legStrength and swiftness
