Map of Scotland showing where the Ramseyer arms are recorded
The Ramseyer arms were recorded in Kincardine, c. 1625.
Kincardineshire was a narrow strip of farmland between the hills and the North Sea. Its landed families were few but very long-settled, and long settlement brought 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 Scotland in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1587–1625
Reigning in Scotland when the Ramseyer 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 Kincardine.
Origin & History of the Ramseyer Family in Scotland
The family name Ramseyer holds a distinct place in the history of Kincardine, Scotland, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1625. During the seventeenth century, Kincardine was a region defined by its rugged coastal landscape and its reliance on agriculture and local trade. Families living in this area often found themselves at the center of shifting social structures as Scotland navigated a period of significant religious and political change. The presence of the Ramseyer name in these early parish registers suggests that the family was well-integrated into the local community life of the time. By settling in this specific part of the Scottish Lowlands, these early ancestors helped establish a lasting connection to the region that persisted through generations of rural development. Their history reflects the broader experience of Scottish families who built their lives amidst the evolving traditions and local governance of the seventeenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. an eagle displ. sa. beaked and membered gu. charged on the breast with a thistle or”
Francec. 1680
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Map of France showing where the Ramseyer arms are recorded
The Ramseyer arms were recorded in France, c. 1680.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in Scotland when the Ramseyer arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
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.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Ramseyer Family in France
The Ramseyer family name carries a history deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of western France. By the year 1680, records confirm that members of the family were established in the region of Bretagne. During this period, the name was closely associated with the social and economic shifts occurring in the French countryside. Families like the Ramseyers often lived as independent farmers or skilled tradespeople who contributed to the local village life of the seventeenth century. Because Bretagne was a distinct province with its own traditions and language, the family likely navigated a society that valued strong community ties and regional identity. Their presence in this area suggests they were part of the hardworking population that helped sustain the rural economy of the time. While the name eventually spread to other parts of Europe, its early documented history in Bretagne provides a clear glimpse into the lives of ancestors who helped shape the local heritage of the region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. an eagle displ. sa. beaked and membered gu”
NorthamptonCroughton House · Northampton, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Ramseyer arms are recorded
The Ramseyer arms were recorded in Northampton, c. 1620.
Northamptonshire was grazing and hunting country in the middle of England, thick with manor houses. Its families were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with 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 Scotland when the Ramseyer 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 Northampton.
Origin & History of the Ramseyer Family in England
The Ramseyer family name carries a history rooted in the local landscape of seventeenth-century England. By 1620, records confirm that members of the family were established in Northampton, a town known for its strategic location and growing trade. During this period, the name likely functioned as a topographical identifier, linking the family to specific land or a particular dwelling. Life for these early ancestors involved navigating the social and economic shifts of the Stuart era, where families often centered their lives around parish communities and local crafts. As the family settled into Northampton, they became part of the fabric of a town that served as a vital hub for commerce and regional governance. Their presence in these historical documents suggests a family that was integrated into the daily operations of English provincial life during a time of significant national transition.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ram
Old Germanic element meaning raven or counsel.
This name
RamseyerA habitational name derived from a place where ravens were commonly found.
also spelled
Ramsey
Ramzy
Ramsie
Ramseyer
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Kirk Session Records of Kincardine, 1625
National Records of Scotland, Register of Testaments, Commissariot of Dunblane, 1625
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
