Roundey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Roundey arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Roundey family lived in Kent, at the Manor of Rundale, from whence their name is derived. "Randall, formerly called Roundall and Rundale, is a manor in this parish, which, though at present of little repute, was anciently of some note, as being one of the seats of the noble family of Cobham, where they are Baid to have resided before they removed to Cobham Hall." 1

"In the XIII. century, John de Cobham gave Rundale to his second son Henry, and his descendants were variously written Roundale, Rundel, Roundall, and Rundella, and so lately as 8 Henry VI. the then proprietor of the estate was styled Lord Thomas de Cobham, alias Rundella, Knight." 1 While many of the family emigrated to England, not all did. Lucas, Geoffry and John Roondel were listed in Normandy (1180-1195) and later Stephen Roundel, Geoffry, Hugh and Lucas Roondel were listed there in 1198. 2

Early Origins of the Roundey family

The surname Roundey was first found in Kent where they were a branch of the great Baronial family of Cobham, seated as Lords of the Manor of Roundell in the parish of Shorne. In the 13th century John Cobham gave the Manor of Rundale to his second son. He was styled Lord Thomas de Cobham, alias Roundell, Knight. From this scion many branches descended, many with different spellings of the name Roundell, into the counties of Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. 1

"The Roundells of Screven, in Yorkshire, have possessed Screven ever since the early part of the XV. century, the first recorded progenitor being John Roundel, of that place, 3. Henry VI. [(during the third year of the reign of Henry VI)]" 3

Much farther to the south in the parish of Mabe, Cornwall, "Spargo in this parish, is said by Norden to have been a seat of the Randolls or Rundles; but in this opinion he is supposed to have been misinformed, as their seat was at Trewoon, which is now a farm house, although Spargo is acknowledged to have been their property." 4

Early History of the Roundey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Roundey research. Another 179 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1422, 1558, 1582, 1591, 1611, 1688 and 1743 are included under the topic Early Roundey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Roundey Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Roundle, Roundall, Roundell, Roundill, Roundale and many more.

Early Notables of the Roundey family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Roundell of Screven living temp. Henry VI, generally understood to be the progenitor the Gledstone branch. His grandson Marmaduke Roundell married Jane Lowe in 1558 and they bore a son William Roundell who died in 1582. His son, another William was juror at the presentment as the Castle...
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Roundey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Roundey family

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Roundey or a variant listed above: Joseph Rondall who landed in Virginia in 1651.

The Roundey 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: Tenax propositi
Motto Translation: Firm of purpose.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print