Map of England showing where the Reigle arms are recorded
The Reigle 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 Reigle 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 Reigle Family in England
The Reigle family name has deep roots that trace back to the German-speaking regions of Europe before members of the family established themselves in the American colonies. By the early 17th century, records indicate that individuals bearing this surname were present in York, England, suggesting a period of migration or trade-based movement across the North Sea. These early ancestors were likely part of the growing population of skilled laborers and merchants who moved between continental Europe and the British Isles during a time of significant social change. As they settled into their new surroundings, the family adapted to the local language and customs while maintaining their distinct identity. This early presence in York highlights the family's long history of mobility and their ability to integrate into diverse communities while preserving their ancestral name through the generations.
Reigle Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Rigel
Derived from the Old English word for a ridge or boundary.
This name
ReigleAn occupational or topographic name for someone who lived near a ridge or boundary line.
also spelled
Rygley
Riggeley
Ryggeley
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Faust, Albert Bernhardt, The German Element in the United States, 1909
Strassburger, Ralph Beaver, Pennsylvania German Pioneers, 1934
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1620
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