Show ContentsArmsbay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Armsbay is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Armsbay family lived in Lincolnshire. The name, however, is a reference to Orme, Normandy. The family anciently claim decent from "the house of De Bayeux of Normandy. Roger de Bayhus, or Bayeux de Ormsby made grants at Ormsby to Osney Abbey, Oxford, as did Reginadl Bayhus." 1

Early Origins of the Armsbay family

The surname Armsbay was first found in Lincolnshire at North Ormsby where the first record of the family was found. " A monastery for nuns and brethren of the Sempringham order, was founded here in the time of Stephen (reign 1092-1154), by William, Earl of Albemarle, and Gilbert, son of Robert de Ormesby." 2

Early History of the Armsbay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Armsbay research. Another 53 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Armsbay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Armsbay Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Armsbay are characterized by many spelling variations. 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. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Armsbay include Ormsby, Ormesby and others.

Early Notables of the Armsbay family

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

Ireland Migration of the Armsbay family to Ireland

Some of the Armsbay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 48 words (3 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 Armsbay family

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Armsbay, or a variant listed above: Richard Ormesby, who came to Maine in 1630; as well as George, Catherine, James, John, Joseph, Robert and William Ormsby, who all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860..



The Armsbay 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: Fortis qui prudens
Motto Translation: He is brave who is prudent.


  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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