Show ContentsRumbley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The rich and ancient history of the Rumbley family name dates back to the time of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It comes from Rumbald, an Old German personal name. 1 This name came to England in the wake of the Norman Conquest in 1066, as King William encouraged the immigration from continental Europe of skilled tradesmen and artisans; many of these immigrants came from Germany. Saint Rumwold (Rumbold) was a medieval infant saint in England, said to have lived for three days in 662. He is said to have been full of Christian piety despite his young age, and able to speak from the moment of his birth, requested baptism, and delivered a sermon prior to his early death. Another Saint Rumbold (Rumold, Romuold) (died 775) was an Irish or Scottish Christian missionary who was martyred near Mechelen by two men, whom he had denounced for their evil ways. St. Rumbold's Cathedral is found in Mechelen, Belgium and it is here that his remains are generally thought to be buried.

One source claims the name was "a Norman family, styled Rimbaud or Rimboult, in the Duchy (See Rimboult), where it continued in the twelfth century. The Norman ancestor of the English and Norman lines was Rumbaldus, who held lauds in Gloucester 1086. Richard I. confirmed to Wickham Abbey, Essex, lands granted by Robert Rumbold. The latter was party to a suit, Essex, 1194, and in 1200 exchanged lands in Hertford. Walter Rembald is mentioned c. 1272. From this family descend the Baronets Rumbold." 2

Early Origins of the Rumbley family

The surname Rumbley was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Rumbaldus is listed in Gloucestershire at that time. 3 Later, Roger Rumbald was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Essex in 1191 and in the Pipe Rolls of Cumberland (Cumbria) in 1195. In Hampshire, William Rumbol was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1222 and William Rumbolt was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Cambridgeshire in 1327. 1

Rumbold's-Wyke (St. Rumbald), also named Rumboldswyke, a parish in Sussex, in the union of West Hampnett, hundred of Box and Stockbridge, rape of Chichester. St Mary's Church, on Whyke Road, an 11th century church can still be found here and is in good repair. 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 includes listings for: Roger Rumbold, Cambridgeshire; Adam Rumbald, Buckinghamshire; Reynebaud le Paumer, Norfolk; and Rombald Cosin, Oxfordshire. 5

"After the Dissolution, King Henry VIII, in the year 1545, granted the impropriate rectory (of Keteringham, Norfolk) to Robert Rumbold, alias Reynbald, and his heirs, to be held in capiu by knight's service; and in 1558, Anne wife of Benjamin Reynbald...had livery of it." 6 "To this day Rumball is a popular surname in Norfolk and Suffolk." 5

Early History of the Rumbley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rumbley research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1207, 1613, 1617, 1622, 1662, 1665, 1667, 1671, 1685, 1688, 1689, 1690 and 1785 are included under the topic Early Rumbley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rumbley Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Rumbley have been found, including Rumbold, Rumbald, Rumble, Rumball, Rumbow and others.

Early Notables of the Rumbley family

Distinguished members of the family include Richard Rumbold (1622-1685), a Cromwellian soldier who took part in the Rye House Plot to assassinate King Charles II of England.In May 1685 Rumbold joined the Earl of Argyll in his expedition to Scotland. He became separated from the rest of the rebels in their disorderly marches, and was captured. As he was severely wounded, the Scottish government had him tried at once, lest he should escape his punishment by death. He was tried on 26 June, protested his innocence of any design to assassinate...
Another 90 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Rumbley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Rumbley family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Rumbley, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : John Rumball who settled in Virginia in 1652; Thomas Rumball settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1635; James Rumbelow settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1880.



The Rumbley 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: Virtutis laus actio
Motto Translation: The praise of virtue is action.


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. 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)
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print


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