Map of France showing where the Roat arms are recorded
The Roat arms were recorded in Forez, c. 1663.
Forez was a small upland county in central France, thick with minor gentry holding modest estates. Its families were more numerous than wealthy, and even a small holding was enough for a shield of one's own.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Roat arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Forez.
Origin & History of the Roat Family in France
The family name Roat traces its documented roots to the historic province of Forez in central France during the seventeenth century. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family were established within this region, which was known for its rugged landscape and its importance as a center for metalworking and agriculture. The name likely emerged as a descriptive identifier or a localized surname during a period when families were increasingly tied to specific parishes and landholdings. Living in Forez meant the family was part of a society shaped by the traditions of the old French provinces, where community life revolved around local markets and the influence of the regional nobility. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the area, navigating the economic shifts and religious changes that defined life in rural France before the turn of the eighteenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. (another, a cross) engr. gu”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Roat arms are recorded
The Roat 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 France when the Roat 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 Roat Family in England
The family name Roat has deep roots in Northern England, with historical records confirming that members of the family were established in the city of York by the year 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Roats were often involved in the local merchant guilds or agricultural communities that defined the region. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic roots related to the local landscape or common occupations of the time. As the family settled in Yorkshire, they became part of the social fabric of the North, living through a time of significant political and religious change in England. By maintaining a presence in such a prominent city, the early Roat family members were positioned to participate in the growth and development of Northern English society during the early seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rota
Latin term referring to a wheel or a circular object.
This name
RoatOccupational surname for a wheelwright or someone who lived near a water wheel.
also spelled
Ratt
Rate
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Loire, Registres paroissiaux de la province de Forez, 1663
Gonon, Marguerite, La vie quotidienne en Forez au XVIIe siècle, 1960
Relave, Abbé, Notes historiques sur le Forez, 1885
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
