Map of Denmark showing where the Norby arms are recorded
The Norby arms were recorded in Denmark, c. 1603.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Sjaælland.
Zealand held the Danish court, the crown's offices and Copenhagen itself. Families who served the king kept estates within reach of it, and royal service was the ordinary route to a coat of 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 Denmark in this period.
Christian IV of Denmark
Sovereign of the period
Christian IV of Denmark
1588–1648
Reigning in Denmark when the Norby arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Denmark
Danish heraldry during this period was closely tied to noble status and royal favor rather than being open to all citizens. Arms were typically granted by the monarch to individuals, and these symbols were then shared by all members of the noble house. If a family line died out, the right to use those specific arms ended with them.
Granting authority
The Danish royal chancery held the power to issue and regulate official coats of arms for the kingdom.
How they got arms
Families usually received their arms through a formal royal grant that confirmed their noble status and rights.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Danish Royal Chancery records starting in the sixteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Denmark.
Origin & History of the Norby Family in Denmark
The family name Norby has deep roots in the landscape of Denmark, specifically within the region of Sjælland. By the year 1603, records confirm that members of the family were already established in this area. The name itself is topographical in origin, meaning it was likely derived from the Old Norse words for a north farm or a northern village. During this period, families often took their surnames from the specific locations where they lived or worked. As the Norby family settled into the rural communities of Sjælland, they became part of the local agricultural society that defined life in early modern Denmark. Over time, the name transitioned from a simple description of a place into a formal family identifier that was passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Norðbýr
Old Norse compound meaning north farm or north settlement.
This name
NorbyA habitational name referring to someone who lived in a northern village or farmstead.
also spelled
Norbie
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dansk Historisk Fællesråd, Danske Slægtsnavne, 1980
Københavns Stadsarkiv, Kirkebøger for Sjællands Stift, 1600–1650
Nielsen, Oluf, Olddanske Personnavne, 1883
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
