A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Roed family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6030 · Danish, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à une tête de More, tort. d'arg. C.: une pl. d'aut. d'arg.”
Denmarkc. 1722
Where the Roed Arms Were Recorded
Sjaælland
Map of Denmark showing where the Roed arms are recorded
The Roed arms were recorded in Denmark, c. 1722.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Sjaælland.
Zealand held the Danish court, the crown's offices and Copenhagen itself. Families who served the king kept estates within reach of it, and royal service was the ordinary route to 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 Denmark in this period.
Frederik IV of Denmark
Sovereign of the period
Frederik IV of Denmark
1699–1730
Reigning in Denmark when the Roed arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Denmark
Danish heraldry during this period was closely tied to noble status and royal favor rather than being open to all citizens. Arms were typically granted by the monarch to individuals, and these symbols were then shared by all members of the noble house. If a family line died out, the right to use those specific arms ended with them.
Granting authority
The Danish royal chancery held the power to issue and regulate official coats of arms for the kingdom.
How they got arms
Families usually received their arms through a formal royal grant that confirmed their noble status and rights.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Danish Royal Chancery records starting in the sixteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Denmark.
Origin & History of the Roed Family in Denmark
The family name Roed has deep roots in the Danish landscape, particularly within the island of Sjaelland where records confirm the family’s presence as early as 1722. The name itself is derived from the Old Danish word "rød," which translates to "red" and likely served as a descriptive nickname for an ancestor with a distinct physical trait, such as red hair or a ruddy complexion. During the early 18th century, surnames in Denmark were often fluid and based on patronymics, meaning a person was identified by their father’s first name rather than a fixed family name. Families who adopted a permanent name like Roed during this period often did so to distinguish themselves within their local parish or community. As the family established their lives in the rural districts of Sjaelland, they integrated into the agrarian society that defined the region, working the land and participating in the local church life that served as the primary record keeper for their births, marriages, and deaths.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. three catharine wheels or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Roed Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Roed arms are recorded
The Roed 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 Denmark when the Roed 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 Roed Family in England
The surname Roed carries a distinct history that links its early bearers to the bustling northern city of York by the year 1620. During this period, York served as a vital hub for trade and administration, placing the family at the center of a changing English society. The name itself likely evolved from Old Norse or Old English roots, reflecting the linguistic melting pot of Northern England where Scandinavian influence remained strong for centuries. Families living in York at this time were often involved in the city’s thriving craft guilds or the regional wool trade, which provided a stable foundation for growth. As the seventeenth century progressed, the Roed family would have navigated the social shifts of the Stuart era, living through a time when the city was a focal point for both royalist politics and local mercantile ambition. Their presence in the city records suggests they were established members of the community who contributed to the unique cultural identity of Yorkshire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rød
Old Norse word meaning red or reddish in color.
This name
RoedA descriptive nickname originally used to identify a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion.
also spelled
Roede
Roedd
Roedh
Rood
Roode
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Kruken, Kristoffer and Stemshaug, Ola, Norsk personnamnleksikon, 1995
Nielsen, Oluf, Olddanske Personnavne, 1883
Rigsarkivet (Danish National Archives), Kirkebøger (Parish Registers for Sjaelland)
Rigsarkivet (Danish National Archives), Folketællinger (Census records)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
