Map of France showing where the Raban arms are recorded
The Raban arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Raban arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Raban Family in France
The surname Raban has deep roots in the historical landscape of France, particularly within the western region of Brittany. By the mid-seventeenth century, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in Breton communities. The name likely evolved from ancient linguistic roots, possibly linked to the Old French term for a raven or as a descriptive nickname for an individual. During the 1600s, families in Brittany often lived in tight-knit rural parishes where they worked as farmers or local tradespeople. These early members of the Raban line were part of a society defined by strong regional traditions and the influence of the Catholic Church. As they settled into the coastal and inland areas of the province, they became a permanent part of the local social fabric, leaving behind traces in parish registers that document their births, marriages, and daily lives long before the modern era of record-keeping began.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
ravenConstancy and divine providence
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a chev. chequy or and az. betw. three boars' heads erased sa. on a chief erminois a mount vert, thereon a raven sa. a canton gu. charged with a sword or”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Raban arms are recorded
The Raban arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Raban arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Raban Family in England
The history of the Raban family in England is deeply connected to the northern city of York, where records confirm their presence by the early seventeenth century. The name itself likely originates from a combination of ancient linguistic roots, often associated with the Old German word for raven, a bird frequently used in early naming traditions to symbolize wisdom or protection. By 1620, members of the Raban family were established as part of the local community in York, a city that served as a vital hub for trade and administration during the Stuart period. As the family settled into English life, they participated in the typical social and economic activities of the era, such as local commerce and parish involvement. While the name remained relatively rare, its persistence in northern England suggests that the early Rabans were well-integrated into the regional landscape, contributing to the steady growth of the city’s population during a time of significant social change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rabanus
Derived from the Germanic word for raven.
This name
RabanA habitational or occupational name historically associated with individuals known for their dark hair or raven-like features.
also spelled
Rabban
Raben
Rabanus
Related arms
Rabenvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Collection de la série B (Cours et juridictions)
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
ravenConstancy and divine providence
swordJustice, and military honour
