Map of England showing where the Ravelli arms are recorded
The Ravelli 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 Ravelli 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 Ravelli Family in England
The surname Ravelli is primarily rooted in Northern Italy, where it evolved as a topographic name derived from the word *ravella*, a term describing a small ravine or a steep, rocky path. Families bearing this name were often associated with the rugged terrain of the Alpine foothills, where they worked as farmers or stone masons. By the early 17th century, the family began to expand beyond its traditional regional borders. Historical records confirm that members of the Ravelli family had established a presence in York, England, by 1620. This migration suggests that these early ancestors were likely part of the growing network of continental merchants or skilled artisans who traveled across Europe to seek new opportunities in English trade hubs. Their transition from the mountainous regions of Italy to the historic city of York highlights a period of significant mobility and adaptation for the family during the early modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rave
Derived from the Old French word for a turnip or radish.
This name
RavelliAn occupational name for a grower or seller of turnips or root vegetables.
also spelled
Ravele
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
De Felice, Emidio. Dizionario dei cognomi italiani. 1978
York City Archives, Borthwick Institute for Archives, Parish Registers of St. Michael le Belfrey, York. 1620
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