Map of England showing where the Roxburgh arms are recorded
The Roxburgh arms were recorded in Suffolk, c. 1874.
Suffolk was wool country, and its cloth towns were among the wealthiest in England. Clothier families bought manors with their profits, 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.
Victoria
Sovereign of the period
Victoria
1837–1901
Reigning in England when the Roxburgh 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 Suffolk.
Origin & History of the Roxburgh Family in England
The surname Roxburgh originates from a place name in the Scottish Borders, but its presence in England tells a different story of migration and settlement. By the mid-19th century, families carrying this name had established roots in Suffolk, a county known for its long history of agriculture and trade. During this era, the movement of people from the north into English counties was often driven by the search for new employment opportunities in the expanding industrial and rural sectors. In Suffolk, the Roxburgh family integrated into local society, contributing to the community as the region underwent significant social changes. While the name remains tied to its Scottish geographical origins, its history in England highlights the way families moved across borders to build new lives in changing landscapes.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
leafHappiness and abundance
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Or, on a chev. az. betw. in chief two leaves of a genus of Indian plants known by the name of "Roxburghia," and in base on a mount vert a palm tree all ppr. a sun in splendour or”
Scotlandc. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Roxburgh arms are recorded
The Roxburgh arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Roxburgh arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Roxburgh Family in Scotland
The surname Roxburgh originates from the ancient royal burgh of the same name in the Scottish Borders, which served as a vital center of trade and government during the Middle Ages. Families who adopted this name often took it to signify their connection to the region, which was once home to a significant castle and a bustling town near the confluence of the Tweed and Teviot rivers. By the mid-eighteenth century, the name had spread beyond the borderlands as families sought new opportunities in the growing capital of Edinburgh. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Roxburgh family were well-established in the city during this period of significant social and economic change. These early residents were part of the vibrant urban life of the Enlightenment era, contributing to the professional and commercial development of Scotland as the nation moved toward a more modern industrial future.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hroc-burg
Old English for rook or crow and a fortified settlement.
This name
RoxburghA habitational name derived from a fortress or town associated with rooks.
also spelled
Roxborough
Roxbrough
Roxburrow
Related arms
Roxboroughvariant spelling
Wynterrecorded with Roxburgh, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser, The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Reaney, Percy Hide and Wilson, Richard Middlewood, A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, General Register Office: 1871 and 1881 Census Returns
Suffolk Archives, Parish Register Collections, Suffolk County
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
horseReadiness to serve king and country
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
horseReadiness to serve king and country
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
leafHappiness and abundance
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
