Map of England showing where the Rugg arms are recorded
The Rugg arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1599.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Rugg 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Rugg Family in England
The family name Rugg has deep roots in the English county of Norfolk, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1599. The name is considered a topographic surname, which means it likely originated from a person who lived near a specific physical feature of the landscape. In Old Norse and Middle English, the word rugga or rugg often referred to a rough or uneven piece of ground, such as a ridge or a patch of rugged terrain. Early ancestors were likely farmers or laborers who were identified by their neighbors based on the location of their homestead. Over time, as families grew and moved to different towns, the name became a permanent way to identify their lineage. By the turn of the 17th century, the Rugg family had established a presence in the Norfolk region, contributing to the local community through agriculture and trade during a period of significant social change in England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hrodger
Derived from Germanic elements meaning fame and spear.
This name
RuggA locational or descriptive surname referring to a rough or shaggy-haired individual.
also spelled
Rug
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
Norfolk Record Office, Parish Register Transcripts for Norfolk, 1599
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
