Map of England showing where the Rawlinson arms are recorded
The Rawlinson arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Rawlinson 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Rawlinson Family in England
The surname Rawlinson is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Rawlin. Rawlin itself was a common medieval nickname for the name Ralph. By the early 17th century, families carrying this name had established a firm presence in the English county of Essex. Records from 1620 show that these individuals were active members of their local communities during a time of significant social and religious change in England. As the name spread through various regions, it became associated with families who often worked in trades or agriculture. These early Rawlinsons lived through a period of transition, helping to shape the local history of Essex as they built their lives and businesses in the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Raul
A Germanic name composed of elements meaning wolf and counsel.
This name
RawlinsonA patronymic surname meaning son of little Ralph or son of Raulin.
also spelled
Rawlynson
Raulinson
Rawlynsone
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P. H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Essex Record Office, Quarter Sessions Rolls, Q/SR 230/1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
