Robearts History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Robearts surname is derived from the personal name Robert. This name was originally came from the Old German words "hrod" and "behrt," which mean "fame" and "bright." It was introduced to Britain by Normans during the time of Edward the Confessor, and became very popular. 1 A large number of diminutives and pet-forms were derived from this name in early times.

Early Origins of the Robearts family

The surname Robearts was first found in Kent, where a Willelmus filius Roberti was listed in the Domesday Book. Also from the Domesday Book, 2 we find a Robert the Bursar, Sheriff of Worcestershire, who held a castle at Tamworth, Staffordshire and had holdings in Gloucester, Leicester, Lincoln and Warwick; as well as Robert, son of Fafiton, who had holdings in Bedford, Cambridge, Huntingdon, and Middlesex. 2

In the parish of Lanhydrock in Cornwall, an extensive branch of the family was established man years ago. "The founder of this noble family was Richard Robartes, a wealthy merchant of Truro, whose grandson married a co-heiress of Hender of Bottreaux Castle, and was created a Baronet in 1621, and in 1625 a peer, bearing the title of Lord Robartes of Truro. This nobleman was the father of John Lord Robartes, who lived at Lanhydrock in the civil war. Lanhydrock House is a venerable mansion, which, though modernized by John Lord Robartes, retains vestiges of more remote antiquity." 3

Early History of the Robearts family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Robearts research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1279, 1292, 1296, 1327, 1605, 1609, 1660, 1662, 1675 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Robearts History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Robearts Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names tend to be marked by an enormous number of spelling variations. This is largely due to the fact that Old and Middle English lacked any spelling rules when Norman French was introduced in the 11th century. The languages of the English courts at that time were French and Latin. These various languages mixed quite freely in the evolving social milieu. The final element of this mix is that medieval scribes spelled words according to their sounds rather than any definite rules, so a name was often spelled in as many different ways as the number of documents it appeared in. The name was spelled Robert, Roberts, Robart, Robarts, Robberds and many more.

Early Notables of the Robearts family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Dr. Roberts, who was a member of the House of Lords in 1660; Sir William Roberts (1605-1662), of Neasden House at Willesden, Middlesex...
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Robearts Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Robearts family to Ireland

Some of the Robearts family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Robearts family

Because of the political and religious discontent in England, families began to migrate abroad in enormous numbers. Faced with persecution and starvation at home, the open frontiers and generally less oppressive social environment of the New World seemed tantalizing indeed to many English people. The trip was difficult, and not all made it unscathed, but many of those who did get to Canada and the United States made important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers with Robearts name or one of its variants: Eleanor and Griffith Robarts, who settled in Barbados in 1676; James Robarts settled in New Haven Conn. in 1822; James Robert settled in Maryland in 1666.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print