Map of England showing where the Rabbitt arms are recorded
The Rabbitt arms were recorded in Nottingham, c. 1620.
Nottinghamshire had coal under it and forest across it, and both were worth money. Families who profited bought manors, and a manor was the ordinary reason for a family to take a coat of 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 England when the Rabbitt 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 Nottingham.
Origin & History of the Rabbitt Family in England
The surname Rabbitt has deep roots in the English Midlands, with documented evidence placing members of the family in Nottingham as early as 1620. The name is generally categorized as a nickname surname, which was a common way to identify people in the Middle Ages based on their physical traits, personality, or habits. It is likely that an early ancestor was given this name because they were known for being quick, energetic, or perhaps particularly timid, much like the animal itself. During the seventeenth century, families in Nottingham were often involved in the local textile trade or agricultural work, and the presence of the Rabbitt name in parish registers suggests they were established members of the community during a period of significant social change in England. Over the centuries, the name evolved through various spellings as it was passed down through generations, eventually settling into its modern form as families moved and grew across the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
rabot
Old French diminutive form of the name Robert meaning bright fame.
This name
RabbittA nickname for a person with characteristics resembling a hare or rabbit.
also spelled
Rabbet
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Nottinghamshire Archives, Nottingham St Mary’s Parish Registers, PR 1572–1650
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Lower, Mark Antony, Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom, 1860
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
rabbitOne who lives peaceably and well
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
rabbitOne who lives peaceably and well
