A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Rabey family of France.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serveJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. à la fasce componée d'or et de sa.”
The Rabey arms were recorded in Dauphine, c. 1663.
Dauphine lay in the mountains of south-eastern France, a country of small estates and scattered valleys. Its gentry were many and mostly modest, and even a small landholding was enough to justify 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 France in this period.
Reigning in France when the Rabey arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name Rabey traces its early roots to the mountainous region of Dauphiné in southeastern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established within this area, which was known for its rugged landscape and distinct local traditions. During the seventeenth century, families in Dauphiné often lived in small, tight-knit rural communities that relied on farming and trade. The name likely evolved from local dialects and naming customs common to the Alpine foothills during this period. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, contributing to the local economy and community life long before the name spread to other parts of the world.
Derived from Germanic elements meaning bright fame or renowned glory.
