Show ContentsRasbottome History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Rasbottome belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their having lived in the region of Romsbottom in the county of Lancashire. Rasbottome is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. Habitation names form the other broad category of surnames that were derived from place-names. They were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Rasbottome family

The surname Rasbottome was first found in Lancashire in the parish of Bury at Romsbottom (now known as Ramsbottom). Today it is a market town in Greater Manchester but anciently the town was known as Romesbothum in 1324. 1 Literally the place name means "valley of the ream, or where wild garlic grows from the Old English "ramm" or "hramsa" + "bothm." 1

Early History of the Rasbottome family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rasbottome research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Rasbottome History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rasbottome Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Rasbottome include Ramsbottom, Ramsbotham, Rasbottom and others.

Early Notables of the Rasbottome family

More information is included under the topic Early Rasbottome Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Rasbottome family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Rasbottome were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Joseph, Mark and Thomas Ramsbottom arrived in Philadelphia between 1856 and 1868; John Ramsbotten settled in Virginia in 1698.



The Rasbottome Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Non vi, sed virtute
Motto Translation: Not by force, but by virtue


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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