Coningsby History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Coningsby was first found in Lincolnshire where they originated at Coningsby, a village and civil parish 8 miles north of Horncastle. Literally, the place name means "the king's manor or village," from the Old Scandinavian words "konunger" + "by." 1 The parish dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was listed as Cuningesbi. 2

At that time, Coningsby was the King's land, held in tenancy by Earl Hugh, Drogo, and Robert the Steward. It consisted of 15 fisheries. Conjecturally, the Coningsby family name is descended from this Norman source. Sir John Coningsby of Coningsby Castle, earliest recorded of the surname, was slain at Chesterfield in the Barons war with King John in 1216. North Mimms, Hertfordshire was an early home of the family. The church is built of flints, with a square embattled tower surmounted by a lofty spire, and contains many effigies, brasses with inscriptions in black letter, and other ancient memorials and the windows of which exhibit in stained glass various coats of arms, principally of the Coningsby family. 3

"The church [of King's Areley in Worcestershire] is situated on a considerable eminence commanding a fine prospect and nearly overhanging the river, which flows through a rich valley at the base. In the burial ground is a singular sepulchral monument, of the date of about 1690, supposed to commemorate Sir Harry Coningsby, of Hampton Court, who lived in seclusion in this parish, in consequence of the loss of his only child." 3