A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Raye family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8782 · Dutch, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. à une roue de six rayons d'or; aux 2 et 3 d'azur à trois los. d'arg.”
NetherlandsAmsterdam, c. 1815
Where the Raye Arms Were Recorded
Amsterdam
Map of Netherlands showing where the Raye arms are recorded
The Raye arms were recorded in Amsterdam, c. 1815.
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.
Region
Amsterdam
Town
Amsterdam
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Raye Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Raye arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Raye Family in Netherlands
The family name Raye has roots that connect to the bustling urban environment of early nineteenth-century Amsterdam. By 1815, the city was undergoing a major transition as it emerged from the Napoleonic era and became part of the newly formed United Kingdom of the Netherlands. During this period, families living in Amsterdam often saw their surnames become more formally recorded due to new government requirements for civil registration. The name Raye likely functioned as a way to identify individuals within the city’s dense population of merchants, laborers, and craftspeople. As Amsterdam served as a global hub for trade and finance, the family members living there were part of a society that valued professional mobility and civic participation. These early records from the city archives provide a clear snapshot of the family as they established their presence in a nation that was rapidly modernizing its legal and social structures.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a chev. engr. betw. three griffins' heads erased sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Raye Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Raye arms are recorded
The Raye 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 Netherlands when the Raye 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 Raye Family in England
The surname Raye emerged in England as a descriptive name, likely originating from the Old French word "rai" or the Middle English "ray," which often referred to a person with a streak of color in their hair or clothing. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Living in a major northern hub like York suggests that early members of the family were likely involved in the city’s thriving trade, craft, or merchant guilds. The year 1620 serves as a significant milestone for the family, marking a period when they were deeply integrated into the social and economic fabric of this ancient walled city. During this era, York was a center of regional governance and commerce, and families like the Rayes played a quiet but essential role in the daily life of the community as it transitioned through the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rade
Derived from the Germanic word for counsel or advice.
This name
RayeA locational or occupational name often associated with a counselor or advisor.
also spelled
Raie
Ray
Rea
Reay
Related arms
Charletonsame arms
le Rayvariant spelling
Ray (le) de la Chapellevariant spelling
Ray (le) du Fumelvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives: Stadsarchief Amsterdam, Burgerlijke Stand (Civil Registry)
Frijhoff, Willem and Maarten Prak, Geschiedenis van Amsterdam: Centrum van de wereld 1578-1650, 2004
Israel, Jonathan, The Dutch Republic: Its Rise, Greatness, and Fall 1477-1806, 1995
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
