Map of England showing where the Roush arms are recorded
The Roush arms were recorded in Oxford, c. 1533.
Oxfordshire was farming country with the university at its centre, and both produced families of standing. Scholars and lawyers who did well bought manors nearby, and holding a manor 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 England in this period.
Henry VIII of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VIII of England
1509–1547
Reigning in England when the Roush 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 Oxford.
Origin & History of the Roush Family in England
The family name Roush evolved from ancient roots in Europe, eventually establishing a notable presence in England by the sixteenth century. Records confirm that members of the family were living in Oxford as early as 1533, a time when the city was a major center for scholars and trade. The name itself is often linked to the Middle English word "roush," which was used to describe someone with a reddish complexion or hair. Over generations, the spelling shifted as families moved across different regions and languages. By the time the name became common in England, it had already transitioned from a simple descriptive nickname into a permanent family identifier. These early ancestors likely worked as local tradespeople or farmers, contributing to the growth of their communities during the late Middle Ages and the early Renaissance.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
rus
A Middle English term referring to the color red.
This name
RoushA descriptive nickname for a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion.
also spelled
Russhe
Rusch
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Oxfordshire History Centre, Oxford City Records: Council Acts and Chamberlains' Accounts, 1533
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
horseReadiness to serve king and country
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
horseReadiness to serve king and country
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
