Map of England showing where the Rathbun arms are recorded
The Rathbun 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Rathbun 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 England.
Origin & History of the Rathbun Family in England
The surname Rathbun is believed to have originated in England, with historical records placing early family members in the city of York as early as 1620. The name likely evolved from regional dialects and local place names, reflecting the common practice of identifying individuals by their home village or specific landscape features. As the family grew, they became part of the migration patterns that defined the seventeenth century. Many individuals bearing the name eventually moved from their English roots to the American colonies, seeking new opportunities and land. This transition marked the beginning of the family’s long history in North America, where they established deep roots that have persisted for centuries. Throughout these early generations, the family name served as a vital link to their ancestral origins in the north of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Radburn
A stream or brook characterized by a red or reddish color.
This name
RathbunDerived from a locational surname referring to a settlement near a red-colored stream.
also spelled
Rathborne
Rathbun
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Cooley, John C., Rathbone Genealogy, 1898
The National Archives (UK), York City Archives: House Books, 1620
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