A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Irby family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7036 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. fretté de sa.; au canton de gu., ch. d'une couronne de feuillage d'or. C.: une tête de Sarasin au nat. S.: deux antelopes de gu., coll. chacune d'une couronne de feuillage d'or. D.: HONOR FIDELITATIS PRÆMIUM.”
Francec. 1704
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Map of France showing where the Irby arms are recorded
The Irby arms were recorded in France, c. 1704.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Irby arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Irby Family in France
The history of the Irby family in France is deeply tied to the rugged landscape and maritime culture of the Brittany region. By the year 1704, records confirm that members of the family had established a presence in this northwestern province, a time when Brittany functioned as a distinct cultural and linguistic stronghold within the French kingdom. Families living in this area during the early eighteenth century often navigated a complex social structure defined by local landholdings and trade connections to the Atlantic coast. Because Brittany maintained unique regional customs and legal traditions, the Irby family likely integrated into a society that valued both deep ancestral roots and the practical demands of coastal life. Their presence in the region suggests a history shaped by the migration patterns and economic shifts that defined rural Breton communities during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. fretty sa. on a canton gu. a chaplet or”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Irby arms are recorded
The Irby 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 France when the Irby 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 Irby Family in England
The family name Irby originates from the northern regions of England, specifically deriving from the Old Norse words for a settlement or village belonging to an Irish person. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. During this era, York served as a vital administrative and religious hub, and families like the Irbys were often involved in the local trade and civic life that defined the city. As members of the gentry and merchant classes, they were part of the social fabric that helped shape northern England before the major political upheavals of the mid-1600s. Their presence in York by 1620 suggests they were well-integrated into the regional economy, likely benefiting from the city’s long-standing status as a gateway for commerce and travel between London and the Scottish border.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eure-et-Loir
A geographical region in France near the Eure river.
This name
IrbyDerived from a locative surname referring to individuals originating from the village of Irby.
also spelled
Irbie
Ireby
Related arms
Irebyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Fonds de la juridiction de Rennes)
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série E (Documents notariés)
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Meyer, Jean, La noblesse bretonne au XVIIIe siècle, 1966
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
