Show ContentsCozbey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Cozbey is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived in or near the place named Cosby, which was in the county of Leicestershire. The name of this settlement was originally derived from the Old English forename Cossa and the Old Norse word byr, which means farm; thus, it means Cossa's farm. The surname Cozbey belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Cozbey family

The surname Cozbey was first found in Leicestershire at Cosby, a parish, in the union of Blaby, hundred of Guthlaxton. 1 This place name date back to at leat the Donesdfay Book of 1086 when it was known as Cossebi and literally meant "farmstead of village of a man called Cossa." 2

It is "said to have been the property of the family before the Conquest." 3

Early History of the Cozbey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cozbey research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1510, 1516, 1548, 1558, 1560, 1562, 1565 and 1580 are included under the topic Early Cozbey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cozbey Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Cozbey are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Cozbey include: Cosby, Cosbie, Cosbey, Cosbye, Cossbye and others.

Early Notables of the Cozbey family

More information is included under the topic Early Cozbey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Cozbey family to Ireland

Some of the Cozbey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 106 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cozbey family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Cozbey or a variant listed above: John Cosby who settled in Virginia in 1654; Hannah Cosby settled in Charles Town in 1763; William Cosbey arrived in Philadelphia in 1874.



The Cozbey Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Sub libertate quietem
Motto Translation: Rest under liberty.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


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