A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Proby family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 8646 · French, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'herm. à la fasce de gu., ch. d'un lion léopardé d'or (Proby); aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à deux fasces ondées d'azur; au chef du même ch. d'une étoile d'or entre deux coquilles du même (Allen). C.: une tête et col d'autruche d'arg., coll. d'une couronne d'or et tenant en son bec une clé du même. S.: à dextre une autruche d'arg., coll. d'une couronne d'or et tenant en son bec une clé du même; à sen. un dogue de sa. D.: MANUS HAEC INIMICA TYRANNIS.”
Francec. 1752
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of France showing where the Proby arms are recorded
The Proby arms were recorded in France, c. 1752.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Proby 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 Proby Family in France
The history of the Proby name in France is deeply tied to the rugged and historic region of Bretagne. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family had established a clear presence in this area, as evidenced by records dating back to 1752. During this period, families in Bretagne often lived in close-knit communities where local identity was shaped by the unique traditions of the province. The Proby name likely functioned as a way to identify individuals within these specific maritime and agricultural networks. As the family navigated the social and economic landscape of pre-revolutionary France, they became part of the local fabric of the region. Their presence in 1752 suggests that the family was well-integrated into the daily life of their community long before the major political shifts that would eventually transform the nation.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, erm. on a fess gu. a lion pass. or, for PROBY; 2nd and 3rd, ar. two bars wavy and a plain chief az. on the latter an estoile betw”
IrelandCarysfort, c. 1645
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the Proby arms are recorded
The Proby arms were recorded in Carysfort, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in France when the Proby arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Proby Family in Ireland
The Proby family established a significant presence in Ireland by the mid-seventeenth century, with records confirming their residence in Dublin as early as 1645. During this period, the family became deeply integrated into the administrative and social fabric of the city. They were part of a wave of English settlers who moved to Ireland to take up roles in government, trade, and land management. As the century progressed, members of the family gained influence through strategic marriages and professional appointments within the Dublin establishment. Their transition from newcomers to prominent citizens reflects the broader patterns of migration and social mobility that defined the Anglo-Irish experience during the seventeenth century. By maintaining strong ties to both their new home in Dublin and their connections in England, the Proby family secured a stable and lasting foothold in Irish society.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Erm. on a fess gu. a lion pass. or”
HuntingdonWest Chester · Huntingdon, c. 1586
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Proby arms are recorded
The Proby arms were recorded in Huntingdon, c. 1586.
Huntingdonshire was small, flat fen-edge country. Drainage made new farmland and new fortunes, and families who gained by it bought manors and took arms to match.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in France when the Proby 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 Huntingdon.
Origin & History of the Proby Family in England
The Proby family emerged as a notable presence in the English county of Huntingdon during the late sixteenth century. By 1586, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this region, where they began to build a reputation for civic service and local influence. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the personal name Robert, evolving through common usage into the distinct surname we recognize today. As the family grew in prominence, they became deeply involved in the political and social life of Huntingdonshire. Their early history is defined by a steady rise in status, moving from local landholders to figures who played an active role in the governance of their community. This transition helped solidify the Proby name within the historical landscape of England, ensuring their legacy would persist for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Probus
Latin term meaning honest, upright, or virtuous.
This name
ProbyA surname derived from a nickname for an honorable or morally upright individual.
also spelled
Probie
Probee
Probey
Related arms
Jacksonrecorded with Proby, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
lionCourage, strength and royalty
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
