A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Raboy family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
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 Raboy 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 Raboy 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 Raboy traces its roots to the rugged landscape of the Dauphiné region in southeastern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established in this mountainous area, which served as a historic gateway between the French kingdom and the Italian states. The name itself likely evolved from local dialects and geographic descriptors common to the Alpine foothills, where families were often identified by their proximity to specific landmarks or their roles within small mountain communities. Living in Dauphiné during the seventeenth century meant that the Raboy family navigated a period of significant religious and social transition. They were part of a resilient population that adapted to the harsh climate and the complex political shifts of the French provinces. Through these early generations, the family helped shape the local culture of the region, leaving behind a legacy tied to the land and the distinct history of the French Alps.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and serviceSir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Gu. crusily or, a bend vair”
The Raboy 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.
Reigning in France when the Raboy arms are first recorded.
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.
The history of the Raboy family in England begins with records of their presence in the city of York around 1620. During this period, York was a bustling northern hub where families often established themselves through trade or skilled craftsmanship. The name itself suggests a connection to regional naming patterns that were common in Northern England during the seventeenth century. As residents of a major ecclesiastical and commercial center, the early Raboy family likely navigated the social changes of the Stuart era while contributing to the local economy of the city. By settling in York, they became part of a long tradition of families who helped define the urban landscape of Northern England long before the industrial shifts of later centuries. Their presence in the city archives provides a rare glimpse into the lives of ordinary citizens who lived through the religious and political tensions of the early 1600s.
Derived from the Old French word for a wooded or bushy area.
