Map of England showing where the Ragsdale arms are recorded
The Ragsdale arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 England when the Ragsdale 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 York.
Origin & History of the Ragsdale Family in England
The Ragsdale family name is rooted in the northern regions of England, with historical evidence placing early members in the city of York by the year 1620. The name is considered a locational surname, which means it likely originated from a specific place name that described the landscape where the family first lived. Many researchers believe the name evolved from Old Norse or Old English terms related to a small valley or a ridge. As people moved from the countryside into growing urban centers like York, they often adopted the name of their home village to identify themselves to others. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a presence in these historical trade hubs, marking the beginning of their documented history before many members eventually migrated to the American colonies.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Raggr
Old Norse term for a shaggy or rough-haired person.
This name
RagsdaleDerived from a valley belonging to a man named Raggr, indicating a shaggy-haired person's dale.
also spelled
Rashdall
Rashdell
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
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martletA younger son, who must win his own land
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
