Robishaw History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Robishaw was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1441 when Richard Robertshawe held estates in that shire in the West Riding near Heptonstall. The village records are now lost. Although most historians attribute this name to Roberts (shaw) or Robert's wood, this is highly questionable. It is much more likely that this lineage, pre 1441, derived from Robesart, now extinct in the male line, a very distinguished and influential titled Norman family headed by Lord Robesart or Robsart, (Robisheau,) a Knight of the Garter about 1410 but descending from Sir. Robsert who was knighted in 1347. He held many estates in Warwickshire and Yorkshire.