Map of England showing where the Roupe arms are recorded
The Roupe 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 England when the Roupe 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 Roupe Family in England
The family name Roupe finds its early roots in the coastal county of Devon, England, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. During this period, Devon was a hub of maritime activity and agricultural development, which likely shaped the daily lives of those bearing the name. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older occupational or locational surnames common in the West Country, reflecting the linguistic shifts typical of the seventeenth century. As residents of a region deeply connected to the Atlantic trade, early members of the Roupe family were part of a society transitioning through significant social and economic changes. Their presence in local parish registers from this time suggests they were well-integrated into the rural communities of the English countryside, contributing to the local economy and the steady growth of the region during the early Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rupes
Latin word meaning a rock, cliff, or crag.
This name
RoupeA topographic name for someone who lived near a rocky outcrop or cliffside.
also spelled
Roupe
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1620
Hoskins, W. G., Devon, 1954
Reaney, P. H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
lionCourage, strength and royalty
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
lionCourage, strength and royalty
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
