Corsbey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

It was in the Scottish/English Borderlands that the Strathclyde-Briton people first used the ancient name Corsbey. It was a name for someone who lived in Wigtown and Dumfriesshire. The place-name Crosby is derived from the Old Norse words kross and byr, which mean cross and farm. 1

Early Origins of the Corsbey family

The surname Corsbey was first found in Wigtownshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Bhaile na h-Uige), formerly a county in southwestern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway.

Some of the family originated further south in northern England, specifically in the North Riding of Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumberland. We found one reference in the Lincolnshire in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273: Geoffrey de Crosseby.

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included Thomas de Crosby; Robertus de Crosseby; and Walterus de Crosseby. 2

Early History of the Corsbey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Corsbey research. Another 189 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1178, 1180, 1189, 1215, 1289, 1296, 1347, 1376, 1440, 1471, 1475, 1546, 1593 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Corsbey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Corsbey Spelling Variations

Scribes in Medieval Scotland spelled names by sound rather than any set of rules, so an enormous number of spelling variations exist in names of that era. Corsbey has been spelled Crosby, Crosseby, Crosbie, Crossby, Corsby and many more.

Early Notables of the Corsbey family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Sir John Crosby (d. 1475), of Crosby Place, Alderman of London, probably grandson of Sir John Crosby, doubtfully described as alderman of London, who died before 1376, leaving a son John in his minority. Both...
Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Corsbey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Corsbey family to Ireland

Some of the Corsbey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 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 Corsbey family

The number of Strathclyde Clan families sailing for North America increased steadily as the persecution continued. In the colonies, they could find not only freedom from the iron hand of the English government, but land to settle on. The American War of Independence allowed many of these settlers to prove their independence, while some chose to go to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots played essential roles in the forging of both great nations. Among them: Anthony Crosby settled in Rowley in 1643.

The Corsbey 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: Resurgam
Motto Translation: I shall rise again

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)