Map of England showing where the Routh arms are recorded
The Routh 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 England when the Routh 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 Routh Family in England
The surname Routh is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or personal characteristic. It is derived from the village of Routh in the East Riding of Yorkshire, where the family held land as early as the medieval period. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Routh family were well-established in the city of York, serving as influential citizens and merchants. During this era, the family became deeply integrated into the civic and religious life of the city. Their presence in York reflects a broader pattern of families moving from rural manors to growing urban centers to pursue trade and professional opportunities. Over the centuries, the name evolved from a geographic descriptor into a distinct family identity that remains tied to its Northern English roots.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ruda
Old English word for a clearing or a rough piece of land.
This name
RouthA topographic surname for someone who lived near a clearing or a rough, uncultivated area.
also spelled
Rowth
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
Smith, A.H., The Place-Names of the East Riding of Yorkshire and York, 1937
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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