Map of England showing where the Kirby arms are recorded
The Kirby arms were recorded in Durham, c. 1620.
Durham was governed by its bishop rather than the crown for most of its history, with its own courts and its own landed class. That separate world produced a tight group of families, nearly all of whom held 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 Kirby 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 Durham.
Origin & History of the Kirby Family in England
The surname Kirby is of Old Norse origin and is derived from the words "kirkja," meaning church, and "by," meaning a village or settlement. This suggests that the earliest people to carry the name were likely residents of a village built near a prominent church or a specific parish center. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Kirby family were well-established in the county of Durham in Northern England. During this period, the family was deeply integrated into the local community, likely participating in the agricultural and trade activities typical of the region. Because Durham was a significant area for both religious and administrative life, the presence of the Kirby family there indicates they were part of the stable, land-holding population that helped shape the local history of the North East.
Kirby Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Kirk-by
Old Norse for church and village or settlement.
This name
KirbyA habitational name for someone who lived near a church village.
also spelled
Kirkby
Kyrby
Kyrkby
Related arms
Headworthsimilar arms
Kyrby, or Kyrkbysimilar arms
Kyrkbysimilar arms
Kerbyvariant spelling
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
Durham County Record Office, Durham Bishop's Transcripts, 1620
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
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
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
