| ![Show Contents]() Robarts History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Robarts 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 the Normans during the time of Edward the Confessor, and became very popular. A large number of diminutives and pet-forms were derived from this name in early times. Early Origins of the Robarts familyThe surname Robarts was first found in Denbighshire (Welsh: Sir Ddinbych), a historic county in Northeast Wales created by the Laws in Wales Act 1536, where they were descended from Einion Efell, Lord of Cynllateh, through Howell ap Iolyn of Llangedwyn, and were directly descended from Rhodri Mawr, King of Wales. Early History of the Robarts familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Robarts research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1585, 1606, 1648, 1649, 1657, 1660, 1665, 1679, 1682, 1684, 1685, 1718, 1719, 1722, 1723 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Robarts History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Robarts Spelling VariationsCompared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. People could not specify how to spell their own names leaving the specific recording up to the individual scribe or priest. Those recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Robarts name over the years has been spelled Roberts, Robert, Robartes, Robarts and others. Early Notables of the Robarts familyProminent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was William Roberts (1585-1665), Welsh Bishop of Bangor; Richard Roberts, Sheriff of Cornwall; Michael Roberts (died 1679), Welsh-born, Principal of Jesus College, Oxford from 1648 to 1657; John Robartes, 1st Earl of Radnor and Viscount Bodmin PC (1606-1685), an English politician; and his son, Francis Robartes FRS (c. 1649-1718), an English politician; and John "Bartholomew" Roberts (1682-1722), Welsh pirate who raided ships off America and West Africa between 1719 and 1722. He changed his first name to Bartholomew after the buccaneer Bartholomew Sharp. He was the most successful pirate of the Golden...
Another 115 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Robarts Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Robarts family to Ireland
Some of the Robarts family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Robarts migration to the United States | + |
Many people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in the 19th and 20th centuries, searching for land, work, and freedom. Like the many other immigrants from the British Isles, they made a significant contribution to the development of Canada and the United States. The Welsh and their descendents added a rich cultural tradition to the newly developed towns, cities, and villages. An investigation of the immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Robarts:
Robarts Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- James Robarts, who settled in New Haven Conn. in 1822
- Mr. Thomas P. Robarts, (b. 1803), aged 45, Barbadian clerk traveling aboard the ship "Thomas Wattson" arriving in Philadelphia in 1848 he was traveling on to Canada 1
- Mrs. Robarts, (b. 1811), aged 37, Barbadian settler traveling aboard the ship "Thomas Wattson" arriving in Philadelphia in 1848 she was traveling on to Canada 1
- Mr. Thomas T. Robarts, (b. 1831), aged 17, Barbadian settler traveling aboard the ship "Thomas Wattson" arriving in Philadelphia in 1848 he was traveling on to Canada 1
- Mr. Edward F. Robarts, (b. 1834), aged 14, Barbadian settler traveling aboard the ship "Thomas Wattson" arriving in Philadelphia in 1848 he was traveling on to Canada 1
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Robarts migration to West Indies | + |
The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 2Robarts Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century- Eleanor and Griffith Robarts, who settled in Barbados in 1676
| Contemporary Notables of the name Robarts (post 1700) | + |
- Richard Robarts (b. 1944), British former racing driver
- John Robarts VC (1818-1888), English recipient of the Victoria Cross
- John Aldham Robarts (1901-1991), prominent Canadian Bahai
- John Parmenter Robarts PC CC QC (1917-1982), Canadian lawyer and statesman, 17th Premier of Ontario (1961-1971), eponym of the Robarts Library, University of Toronto
| Historic Events for the Robarts family | + |
- Mr. Frederick J Robarts (b. 1921), English Ordinary Telegraphist serving for the Royal Navy from Bourne End, Buckinghamshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 3
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: Ewch ymlaen
Motto Translation: Go forward.
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Robarts migration to the United States 
Robarts migration to West Indies 
England
France
Wales
Ireland
