Rafel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
England

Early Origins of the Rafel family

The surname Rafel was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Scotland to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Arthur J. Raffles is a British fictional character (a cricketer and gentleman thief) created by E. W. Hornung, who appeared in 26 short stories, two plays and a novel between 1898 and 1909.

Early History of the Rafel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rafel research. Another 123 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1215 and 1361 are included under the topic Early Rafel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rafel Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Raffle, Raffles, Rayffles, Rayfles, Raveles, Rafvles, Raiffles and many more.

Early Notables of the Rafel family

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

Rafel migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Rafel Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Rafel, Hawaiian settler travelling from Honolulu via Tahiti aboard the ship "General Worth" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 22nd March 1852 1

The Rafel 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: In cruce triumphans
Motto Translation: Triumphing in the cross.

Sources +

New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html