Map of England showing where the Randolph arms are recorded
The Randolph arms were recorded in Cambridge, c. 1571.
Cambridgeshire was flat, rich farming country with the university at its centre. Fen drainage made new land and new fortunes, and families who gained by it bought manors and took arms to match.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Randolph 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 Cambridge.
Origin & History of the Randolph Family in England
The surname Randolph originates from the Old Norse name Randulfr, which combines the elements for rim or shield and wolf. By the time the name became established in England, it had evolved into a common given name before eventually transitioning into a hereditary surname. Records from 1571 confirm that members of the Randolph family were well-established in Cambridge during the Elizabethan era. At this time, the family was deeply integrated into the intellectual and social life of the university town. These early ancestors were often involved in local administration and academic circles, reflecting the rise of a literate and professional middle class in England. As the name spread from these regional hubs, it became a marker of families who valued education and civic duty within their local communities.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Or (in later times”
ScotlandMurray, c. 1748
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 Randolph arms are recorded
The Randolph arms were recorded in Murray, c. 1748.
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.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Randolph 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 Randolph Family in Scotland
The history of the Randolph name in Scotland is deeply tied to the development of the medieval Scottish state and the expansion of urban centers like Edinburgh. The surname itself is derived from the Old Germanic name Randulf, which combines the words for shield and wolf. By the time members of the family were firmly established in Edinburgh by 1748, the name had already been part of the Scottish social fabric for centuries. Early bearers of the name were often associated with the rise of the nobility and the administration of the royal burghs. As the family settled into the capital, they became part of the growing professional and merchant classes that helped shape the city during the eighteenth century. This transition from early medieval roots to a settled presence in Edinburgh reflects the broader movement of families seeking opportunity in Scotland’s developing administrative and economic hubs.
Randolph Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Randulf
Derived from Germanic elements meaning shield and wolf.
This name
RandolphA name signifying a wolf acting as a protective shield.
also spelled
Randolfe
Randoll
Randulph
Related arms
Randallvariant spelling
Randell, or Randlevariant spelling
Randolfevariant spelling
Randollvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Cambridgeshire Archives, Cambridge Borough Records: Burgess Rolls and Admissions, 1571
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
