Map of England showing where the Ruggles arms are recorded
The Ruggles arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1547.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Ruggles 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Ruggles Family in England
The Ruggles family name traces its roots back to the county of Essex in England, where members of the family were firmly established by the year 1547. The name is believed to be a variation of the Old English word "rugge," which refers to a ridge or a piece of rough, uneven ground. This suggests that the earliest ancestors likely earned the name by living near a prominent geographical feature or a specific hilly landscape. During the sixteenth century, the family became deeply integrated into the local community of Sudbury, where they were known as prosperous clothiers and landowners. Their involvement in the wool trade helped them build a stable reputation within the region, allowing the family to maintain a consistent presence in Essex for several generations before some members eventually migrated to the American colonies.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rugge
A Middle English term referring to a rough or shaggy person.
This name
RugglesA diminutive form indicating a descendant of someone with a rough or unkempt appearance.
also spelled
Ruggell
Ruggel
Related arms
Powellsame arms
Roscrowesame arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bailey, Frederic W., Early Massachusetts Marriages Prior to 1800, 1897
Ruggles, Henry Stoddard, The Ruggles Family of England and America, 1892
The National Archives (UK), Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, PROB 11
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
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
