Map of England showing where the Reay arms are recorded
The Reay arms were recorded in Northumberland, c. 1620.
Northumberland was border country facing Scotland, raided and fought over for three hundred years. Families held their land in return for defending it, and a defending household carried a shield.
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 Reay 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 Northumberland.
Origin & History of the Reay Family in England
The surname Reay has deep roots in the border regions between England and Scotland, particularly within the county of Northumberland. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in this rugged landscape, where they were often associated with the pastoral life of the northern hills. The name itself is thought to be topographical, likely derived from the Old Norse word "rá," which refers to a boundary or a roe deer, suggesting that early ancestors lived near a marked territory or a wooded area frequented by wildlife. Because these families lived in a region defined by constant movement and border conflicts, they were often resilient people who adapted to the harsh conditions of the northern frontier. By 1620, the Reays were documented as active members of their local communities, contributing to the social and agricultural fabric of Northumberland long before the name spread to other parts of Britain.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ree
Old English term for a stream or river.
This name
ReayA topographical name for someone who lived near a stream or river.
also spelled
Ray
Raye
Rea
Related arms
Raevariant spelling
Rayvariant spelling
Rayevariant spelling
Rea, or Reevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
