Roebuck History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Roebuck is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Roebuck was a name used for a person who because of their physical characteristics were referred to as roebuck. The name literally means “dweller at the sign of the male roe deer.” 1

Early Origins of the Roebuck family

The surname Roebuck was first found in West Riding of Yorkshire where the name was recorded “for many centuries.” 2

Early rolls point to nearby counties as their first recording. Adam Rabuck was listed in the Assize Rolls of Lancashire in 1246. The Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire listed Matilda Robuc in 1297. 3

In Lincolnshire, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included an entry for Thomas Rabuk. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Ricardus Rabuk and Robertus Rabuk as holding lands there at that time. 2

“The Roebucks were an old Sheffield manufacturing firm that existed as far back as the beginning of last century. The name is still in the town.” 4

Further to the north in Scotland, “Roger Raboc or Raboch witnessed a charter of the church of Culessin (Colessie), 1262 and John Rabuk, bailie of Linlithgow, rendered homage [to King Edward I of England] in 1296.” 5