A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Rae family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0988 · Britain, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sin. à trois cerfs élancés d'arg. C.: un cerf arrêté au nat., la tête posée de front. S.: un cerf et un lion, tous deux au nat. D.: IN OMNIA PROMPTUS.”
Britainc. 1700
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Britain showing where the Rae arms are recorded
The Rae arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Rae arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Rae Family in Britain
The surname Rae has deep roots in the British Isles, often appearing in historical records as a variant of names linked to the Old Norse word "ra," which translates to "roe deer." While the name became very prominent in the Scottish Lowlands and the border regions between England and Scotland, families carrying the name also established themselves in southern England by the turn of the 18th century. By 1700, records show that members of the Rae family were well-settled in the county of Kent. During this era, families often moved for work in trade or agriculture, and the presence of the name in Kent suggests that these individuals were likely part of the growing movement of people toward the bustling markets and ports of the southeast. The name evolved through various spellings in parish registers and tax rolls, reflecting the way local clerks recorded names based on how they sounded at the time. This transition from northern origins to a permanent presence in Kent highlights the way families moved across the British landscape to build new lives during the early modern period.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. three roebucks courant gu”
Scotlandc. 1672
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Scotland showing where the Rae arms are recorded
The Rae arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1672.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Britain when the Rae arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Rae Family in Scotland
The surname Rae has deep roots in the Lowlands of Scotland, where it emerged as a distinct family name during the medieval period. The name is thought to derive from the Middle English word for a roe deer, suggesting that early ancestors may have been associated with the lush forests or hunting grounds of the region. By the late seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the capital city of Edinburgh. Records from 1672 confirm that members of the Rae family were active participants in the urban life of the city during a time of significant political and social transition in Scotland. These early residents were part of a growing class of citizens who helped shape the administrative and professional character of Edinburgh as it moved toward the modern era. Through their involvement in local trade and civic affairs, the family became a recognized part of the Scottish social fabric long before the turn of the eighteenth century.
Rae Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
ra
Old Norse term for a roe deer.
This name
RaeA topographic name for someone living near a clearing or a nickname for a swift person.
also spelled
Ray
Rea
Reay
Related arms
Braysimilar arms
Raysimilar arms
le Rayvariant spelling
Rea, or Reevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
Reaney, Percy Hide. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
The National Archives, Kew. Parish Registers of Kent, series RG 4
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
