Malta.
_Arms: Battle-axe_ (Vol. vii., p. 407.).--The undermentioned families bore
three battle-axes {114} simply, their coats of arms varying only in metal
and colour:
Aynisworthe.
Bainbrige.
Batten.
Daueys.
Daverston.
Gyves.
Gibbes.
Hall.
Hakelett.
Lewston.
Stephen Hoby (the earliest ancestor of the Bisham family of whom any record
is preserved), married ----, the daughter and heiress of ---- Bylmore,
whose arms were--Gu. three halberds (long-handled battle-axes) in pale ar.
handled or.: hence, no doubt, the three battle-axes in connexion with the
Hoby or Hobby name at Bisham Church. William Hoby, of Leominster, the tenth
in descent from the above-mentioned Stephen, married Catherine, sole
daughter and heiress of John Forden _alias_ Fordayne, by Gwentwynar,
daughter and heiress of Sir Griffith Vahan _alias_ Vaughan, Knight
Banneret; who was, as I am led to think, of Denbigh or its neighbourhood. I
shall be happy to find I have thrown any light upon the Query of A. C.