Map of England showing where the Rines arms are recorded
The Rines arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 Rines 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 York.
Origin & History of the Rines Family in England
The Rines family name has deep roots in the coastal region of Maine, with records confirming that early members of the family were established in York as early as 1620. During this period, the area was a rugged frontier where settlers relied heavily on fishing, timber, and trade to survive the harsh New England winters. The name likely evolved as a variation of older occupational or locational surnames brought over by English colonists seeking new opportunities in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. These early settlers were among the pioneers who helped shape the governance and social structure of the York settlements during the seventeenth century. By integrating into the local community, the Rines family became part of the foundational population that navigated the transition from colonial outposts to permanent towns. Their presence in these historical records highlights the resilience and adaptability required of families living in the early American wilderness.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rin
Old English term referring to a boundary or a riverbank.
This name
RinesA topographic name for someone who lived near a riverbank or a boundary line.
also spelled
Raynes
Rainis
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Banks, Charles Edward. History of York, Maine. 1931
Maine State Archives. York County Deeds, 1642-1700
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chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
