Map of England showing where the Rofe arms are recorded
The Rofe arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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 Rofe 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Rofe Family in England
The surname Rofe has deep roots in the English city of Chester, where records confirm family members were living as early as 1620. During this period, Chester was a bustling center of trade and a vital gateway for travel between England and Ireland. Families like the Rofes often worked in the local guilds or as skilled tradespeople, contributing to the city’s economy as it recovered from the challenges of the late Middle Ages. The name itself likely evolved from a descriptive nickname or a reference to a specific occupation, reflecting the common naming patterns of the seventeenth century. As residents of a walled city, the early Rofe family would have been part of a tight-knit community that navigated the significant social and political changes occurring throughout England during the reign of King James I.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rolf
Derived from the Old Norse name Hrolfr meaning famous wolf.
This name
RofeAn occupational surname for a person who was a professional musician or minstrel.
also spelled
Rooff
Roufe
Ruff
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Bishop's Transcripts of Chester St. Oswald Parish Registers, 1620
Morris, Rupert H., Chester in the Plantagenet and Tudor Reigns, 1894
Toulmin Smith, Lucy, The Itinerary of John Leland in or about the years 1535-1543, 1906
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
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
