Map of England showing where the Relf arms are recorded
The Relf arms were recorded in Sussex, c. 1620.
Sussex had ironworks in its woods and good farmland on its downs. Both made money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names in the heraldic records.
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 Relf 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 Sussex.
Origin & History of the Relf Family in England
The family name Relf has deep roots in the English county of Sussex, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During this period, the name was often associated with rural life and the agricultural landscape of the Weald, a heavily wooded area that shaped the daily routines of many local families. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the name Ralph, which was a popular choice in medieval England. Over several generations, the spelling evolved as families moved between villages and parishes for work or marriage. By the seventeenth century, the Relf family had become well-established in Sussex, contributing to the local community through farming and trade. Their presence in the region during this time reflects the broader patterns of family settlement in Southern England, where many surnames became permanently tied to specific towns and rural districts.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Radulf
A Germanic name composed of elements meaning counsel and wolf.
This name
RelfA patronymic surname derived from the Old English personal name Raulf, signifying wolf counsel.
also spelled
Relph
Rolph
Related arms
Ralphsimilar arms
Rolphvariant spelling
Titleyrecorded with Relf, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Lower, Mark Antony, Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom, 1860
West Sussex Record Office, Parish Registers of the Diocese of Chichester, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
