Map of France showing where the Roe arms are recorded
The Roe arms were recorded in Anjou, c. 1663.
Anjou was rich valley country along the Loire, with a dense scatter of small manors. Its gentry were numerous rather than wealthy, and even a modest holding was enough to justify 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 Roe 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 Anjou.
Origin & History of the Roe Family in France
The family name Roe has deep roots in the historical province of Anjou, where members of the family were firmly established by the year 1663. In the context of French history, the name likely emerged from the linguistic traditions of the region, where surnames often evolved from nicknames or descriptions of a person's physical traits or surroundings. During the seventeenth century, Anjou was a vibrant center of agricultural and social life, and families like the Roes were often tied to the land and the local parish communities. Life in this province was shaped by the influence of the French monarchy and the Catholic Church, which kept meticulous records of births, marriages, and deaths. By living in Anjou during this era, the family was part of a stable society that valued lineage and local identity. Their presence in the region suggests they were integrated into the fabric of rural French life, participating in the customs and daily routines that defined the Anjou countryside before the major upheavals of later centuries.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. three bucks courant ar”
DevonGraton Hall · Devon, c. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Roe arms are recorded
The Roe arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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 Roe 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Roe Family in England
The surname Roe has deep roots in the English landscape, emerging as a descriptive name long before the seventeenth century. It likely originated as a nickname for a person who possessed the quick, agile nature of a roe deer or perhaps someone who lived near a forest where these animals were commonly found. By the time the family established a notable presence in Devon in 1620, the name had already been recorded in various forms across the southern counties for generations. During this era, families in Devon were often deeply connected to the local maritime trade and the wool industry, which helped them settle into the region’s social fabric. As the name spread from its early medieval beginnings, it became a marker of local identity for families who lived and worked in the rural parishes of the English West Country.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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. on a chev. engr. az. betw. three trefoils slipped vert a cross crosslet or, betw. two bezants”
DublinDublin, c. 1645
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the Roe arms are recorded
The Roe arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1645.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in France when the Roe arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Dublin.
Origin & History of the Roe Family in Ireland
The history of the Roe family in Ireland is deeply connected to the social and political shifts of the seventeenth century. By 1645, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in Dublin, a city that served as the primary hub for administrative and commercial life at the time. The name itself is often linked to the Middle English word "roe," which refers to a small deer, suggesting that the family may have originally been associated with people who lived near wooded areas or had a swift nature. As the family settled into Dublin, they became part of the urban landscape during a period of intense historical change. Their presence in the capital city allowed them to participate in the growing trade and civic developments that defined Ireland during the mid-1600s. Over time, the Roe family integrated into the local community, leaving a mark on the city’s history through their involvement in the daily life and evolving culture of Dublin.
Roe Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Capreolus
Latin term for a small deer or roe deer.
This name
RoeA topographic name for someone who lived near a place frequented by deer.
also spelled
Rohe
Rowe
Ro
Row
Related arms
Rooe, or Rowesame arms
Rowsame arms
Rowesame arms
Rohevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de Maine-et-Loire, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Port, Célestin, Dictionnaire historique, géographique et biographique de Maine-et-Loire et de l'ancienne province d'Anjou, 1965
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
