Map of England showing where the Swaby arms are recorded
The Swaby arms were recorded in Langley Marish, c. 1584.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Swaby 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 Swaby Family in England
The family name Swaby originates from the historic county of Yorkshire in Northern England. The name is locative, meaning it was originally taken from a specific place, likely the village of Swaby in Lincolnshire. By the late sixteenth century, the family had firmly established roots in the city of York. Records confirm that members of the Swaby family were living and working in this area by 1584. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religious life, and families like the Swabys were often involved in the local merchant guilds or the administration of the city. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, leaving behind traces in parish registers and legal documents that highlight their long-standing presence in the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Sveinn
Old Norse word meaning boy or young man.
This name
SwabyDerived from a topographic name for someone living near a farmstead or settlement.
also spelled
Swabie
Swaby
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, Lay Subsidy Rolls for the County of York
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
