Robert History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France
Wales
Ireland

Etymology of Robert

What does the name Robert mean?

The Robert 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 Robert family

The surname Robert 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 Robert family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Robert 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 Robert History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Robert Spelling Variations

There are relatively few surnames native to Wales, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. Early variations of Welsh surnames can be explained by the fact that very few people in the early Middle Ages were literate. Priests and the few other literate people were responsible for recording names in official documents. And because most people could not specific how to properly record their names it was up to the individual recorder of that time to determine how a spoken name should be recorded. Variations due to the imprecise or improper recording of a name continued later in history when names originally composed in the Brythonic Celtic, language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, were transliterated into English. Welsh names that were documented in English often changed dramatically since the native language of Wales, which was highly inflected, did not copy well. Occasionally, however, spelling variations were carried out according to an individual's specific design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations could be indicated by minor variations. The spelling variations of the name Robert have included Roberts, Robert, Robartes, Robarts and others.

Early Notables of the Robert family

Prominent 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...

Robert World Ranking

In the United States, the name Robert is the 2,533^rd most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Robert is ranked the 191^st most popular surname with an estimated 19,103 people with that name. 2 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Robert is the 86^th popular surname. 3 France ranks Robert as 5^th with 91,393 people. 4

Migration of the Robert family to Ireland

Some of the Robert 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.

Robert migration to the United States +

During the latter half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, the people of Wales journeyed to North America to find a new life. They made major contributions to the arts, industry and commerce of both Canada and the United States, and added a rich cultural heritage to their newly adopted societies. A look at the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Robert:

Robert Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mr. Brian Robert, aged 27, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Assurance" 5
Anthony Robert, who landed in Virginia in 1637 6
William Robert, who arrived in Virginia in 1651 6
Thomas Robert, who arrived in Maryland in 1657 6
James Robert, who settled in Maryland in 1666
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Robert Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Louis Robert, who landed in Virginia in 1700 6
Jacques Robert, aged 33, who landed in Louisiana in 1720 6
Peter Robert, who arrived in South Carolina in 1755 6
Jacob Robert, who arrived in Long Island in 1781 6
George Robert, who arrived in New York in 1798 6

Robert Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Roger Robert, who arrived in America in 1816 6
Jose Robert, aged 25, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1835 6
Angel Robert, aged 53, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1840 6
Narcisse Robert, aged 40, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1841 6
John Robert, who landed in Tippecanoe County, Ind in 1844 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Robert Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Miss Irene Robert, aged 18, German settler who arrived in New York in 1893 aboard the ship "La Gascogne" 7

Robert migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Robert Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Mr. Geoffroy Robert, (b. 1612), aged 30, French settler travelling to Canada for work arriving on 31st March 1642 8
Guillaume Robert, aged 18, who landed in Montreal in 1653
Louis Robert, who settled in Quebec in 1665
Louis Robert, son of André and Catherine, who married Marie Bourgery, daughter of Jean-Baptiste and Marie, in Trois-Rivières, Quebec on 25th November 1666 9
Charles Robert, son of Louis and Marie, who married Marie Leber, daughter of François and Jeanne, in Contrecoeur, Quebec on 9th January 1681 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Robert Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Joseph Robert, son of Louis and Marie, who married Marie-Josephte Larrivé, daughter of Pierre and Denise, in Boucherville, Quebec on 26th December 1701 9
Joseph Robert, son of Jean and Anna, who married Madeleine Demers, daughter of Charles and Élisabeth, in Montreal, Quebec on 15th November 1711 9
Joseph Robert, son of Ignace and Jeanne, who married Marguerite Girard, daughter of Pierre-Jacques and Marguerite, in Varennes, Quebec on 13th April 1711 9
François Robert, son of Louis and Marie, who married Marie Lanctot, daughter of François and Marguerite, in Longueuil, Quebec on 26th January 1712 9
Jean-Baptiste Robert, son of Louis and Marie, who married Geneviève Brabant, daughter of Pierre and Marguerite, in Repentigny, Quebec on 5th February 1714 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Robert Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Victor Robert, who landed in Red River, Canada in 1821

Robert migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Robert Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

William Robert, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Pakenham" in 1849 10
Jonathan Robert, aged 34, a miner, who arrived in South Australia in 1853 aboard the ship "Neptune" 11
Patty Robert, aged 17, a dressmaker, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Navarino" 12
Henry Robert, aged 22, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Standard" 13
M. Robert, aged 23, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Magdelana" 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Robert 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:

Robert Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. James Robert, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Jura" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 23rd September 1858 15
Mrs. Robert, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Jura" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 23rd September 1858 15
Mr. John R W P Robert, British settler travelling from Liverpool (Mersey) aboard the ship "Viscount Sandon" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand then Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand in 1860 16
Mr. William Robert, (b. 1823), aged 37, British cabinetmaker travelling from London aboard the ship "Gananoque" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 9th May 1860 15
Mrs. Lucy Durell Robert, (b. 1826), aged 34, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Gananoque" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 9th May 1860 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Robert (post 1700) +

Arthur Robert (1943-1993), American tennis player
Ridgway Robert (b. 1850), American ornithologist
Maurice Robert (1930-2022), French academic and ethnologist
René Robert (1936-2022), Swiss photographer who specialized in photographing flamenco dancers
René Paul Robert (1948-2021), Canadian professional ice hockey winger who played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL)
Joël Robert (1943-2021), Belgian professional motocross racer who was one of the most successful motocross racers competing in the Motocross World Championships during the 1960s and early 1970s
Charles-Marie Robert Count d'Escorches de Sainte Croix, French Brigadier General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 17
Charles Marie- Robert, Count d'Escorches de Sainte Croix, French Brigadier General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 18
Simon Robert, French Brigadier General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 19
Louis Benoît Robert, French Brigadier General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 20
... (Another 11 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Robert family +

Arrow Air Flight 1285

Mr. John Connelly Robert (d. 1985), American Flight First Officer from Miami, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 21

Bismarck

Klaus Robert (1920-1941), German Matrosengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 22

RMS Titanic

Mrs. Elisabeth Walton Robert, (née McMillan), aged 43, American First Class passenger from St. Louis, Missouri who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping in life boat 2 23

The Robert 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: Ewch ymlaen
Motto Translation: Go forward.

Sources +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Germans to America retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from Glazier, Ira. A., and Filby, P. William. Germans to America: Lists of Passengers Arriving at U.S. Ports. Vol. 62, Scholarly Resources Inc, 2192
Debien, Gabriel. Liste Des Engagés Pour Le Canada Au XVIIe Siècle. Vol. 6, Laval University, 1952. (Retreived 24th May 2018). Retrieved from https://lebloguedeguyperron.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/130-liste-des-contrats-dengagement-pour-la-nouvelle-france-releves-a-la-rochelle-entre-1634-et-1679/
Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 2, Institut Drouin, 1958.
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The PAKENHAM 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Pakenham.htm
South Australian Register Wednesday 26 October 1853. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Neptune 1853. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/neptune1853.shtml
South Australian Register Monday 14th August 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Navarino 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/navarino1854.shtml
South Australian Register Monday 18th December 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Standard 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/standard1854.shtml
South Australian Register Wednesday 17th January 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Magdelana 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/magdalena1855.shtml
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, October 8) Charles-Marie Robert. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html
Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, September 11) Charles Robert. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html
Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, August 27) Simon Robert. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html
Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, August 27) Louis Robert. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html