Map of England showing where the Raw arms are recorded
The Raw arms were recorded in York, c. 1563.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Raw 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 Raw Family in England
The surname Raw is primarily rooted in the northern regions of England, with a significant concentration of the family established in the city of York by the year 1563. Linguists often trace the name to the Middle English word "raw," which was frequently used to describe a row of houses or a settlement situated along a street. In the medieval period, people were often identified by their proximity to a specific landmark, so the name likely originated as a topographical descriptor for someone who lived near a prominent row of dwellings. As the family became more settled in York during the sixteenth century, they integrated into the local urban economy, contributing to the growth and social fabric of the city. This era marked a transition where the name evolved from a simple descriptive label into a stable hereditary surname passed down through generations of residents in the North of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Raoul
Old Germanic name meaning wolf counsel or wise wolf.
This name
RawA patronymic surname derived from a medieval pet form of the name Ralph.
also spelled
Raue
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, Percy Hide. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
