The Irish coat of arms is a heraldic design employed by members of a family to show their pride in their clan and family heritage. Coats of arms were part of Norman and northern European culture and did not become widely used among Irish families until after the English invasion of Ireland in the 12th century. Family crests are comparable to modern day gang colors and showed you belonged to a particular clan or region. They were also utilised in warfare to tell friends from adversaries, to act as a rallying point and a token of what they were battling for.
The family crest was usually worn on a tunic or on the chest of a suit of armor. It also was maintained and displayed on banners and pendants. In war it was often displayed onto a warriors shield. These family crests were filled with symbolism and meaning and often showed ties between families. Three reoccurring designs found on Irish family crests are the red hand, the stag walking, and the wild boar.
Although its beginnings go all the way back to pagan times "The Red Hand of Ulster" in Gaelic L'mh Dhearg Uladh, is usually associated with the O'Neil clan and is sometimes referred to as the "Hand of O'Neil". The O'Neal's are among the oldest families in Ireland and claim ancestory to a grandson of Niall Glun Dubh a 10th century King of Ireland and thru him to Niall of the Nine Hostages, popular 4th century high king. It was utilized by the O'Neils in the nine year war and their war cry was "L'mh Dhearg Ab!", meaning "red hand to victory." Its original use on a family crest dates back to 1243 when Walter de Burgh had become Earl of Ulster and added it to his family crest. It can also be seen on the flag of Northern Ireland as well as the shields of counties Cavan, Tyrone, Londonderry, Antrim and Monaghan. Other families that display the red hand on their arms are Branagan, Brennan, Byrne, Cullen, Daly, Daugherty, Fox, Guinness, McNeil, Neal or O'Neal, Riley, Reilly or O'Reilly.
The stepping stag is a symbol of stable political strength and is most often linked to the McCarthy clan. The McCarthy's were among the most important families of southern Ireland and trace their ancestry to Carthach, a 11th century E'ganacht Chaisil king and contempary of Brian Boru High King of Ireland. His son Muireadhach styled himself Mac Cartaigh meaning son of Carthach and his sons adopted the surname Mac Carthy. The Mac Carthy's were allied to a number of families of southern Ireland and battled constantly with their Norman neighbors the Fitzgerald's and Butler's. Among the other families that feature the stepping stag are Daugherty, Green, McConnell or O'Connell and Rogers.
The wild boar is a symbolic representation of steadfastness, bravery and courage and a readiness to fight to the death. In contrast the boars head which signifies hospitality. The Sullivan's or O'Sulliavan's, Gaelic Ua S'ileabh'in, are another ancient Irish clan. Their crest features two wild boars on a black and white quartered field. The O'Sullivan center of influence was in County Tipperary but they were also numerous in Cork and Munster. They claim decent from Fedelmid mac Crimthainn a 9th century King of Munster. Other families who make use of the wild boar image are Cassidy, McCann, and Sweeny.
The symbols of Irish heraldry are very plentiful including wild and mythical beasts, weapons, and heraldic emblems, these are merely a couple which are distinctly Irish. If you have Irish ancestors there are numerous good books available that will assist an armature genealogist find out about their family crest.
The family crest was usually worn on a tunic or on the chest of a suit of armor. It also was maintained and displayed on banners and pendants. In war it was often displayed onto a warriors shield. These family crests were filled with symbolism and meaning and often showed ties between families. Three reoccurring designs found on Irish family crests are the red hand, the stag walking, and the wild boar.
Although its beginnings go all the way back to pagan times "The Red Hand of Ulster" in Gaelic L'mh Dhearg Uladh, is usually associated with the O'Neil clan and is sometimes referred to as the "Hand of O'Neil". The O'Neal's are among the oldest families in Ireland and claim ancestory to a grandson of Niall Glun Dubh a 10th century King of Ireland and thru him to Niall of the Nine Hostages, popular 4th century high king. It was utilized by the O'Neils in the nine year war and their war cry was "L'mh Dhearg Ab!", meaning "red hand to victory." Its original use on a family crest dates back to 1243 when Walter de Burgh had become Earl of Ulster and added it to his family crest. It can also be seen on the flag of Northern Ireland as well as the shields of counties Cavan, Tyrone, Londonderry, Antrim and Monaghan. Other families that display the red hand on their arms are Branagan, Brennan, Byrne, Cullen, Daly, Daugherty, Fox, Guinness, McNeil, Neal or O'Neal, Riley, Reilly or O'Reilly.
The stepping stag is a symbol of stable political strength and is most often linked to the McCarthy clan. The McCarthy's were among the most important families of southern Ireland and trace their ancestry to Carthach, a 11th century E'ganacht Chaisil king and contempary of Brian Boru High King of Ireland. His son Muireadhach styled himself Mac Cartaigh meaning son of Carthach and his sons adopted the surname Mac Carthy. The Mac Carthy's were allied to a number of families of southern Ireland and battled constantly with their Norman neighbors the Fitzgerald's and Butler's. Among the other families that feature the stepping stag are Daugherty, Green, McConnell or O'Connell and Rogers.
The wild boar is a symbolic representation of steadfastness, bravery and courage and a readiness to fight to the death. In contrast the boars head which signifies hospitality. The Sullivan's or O'Sulliavan's, Gaelic Ua S'ileabh'in, are another ancient Irish clan. Their crest features two wild boars on a black and white quartered field. The O'Sullivan center of influence was in County Tipperary but they were also numerous in Cork and Munster. They claim decent from Fedelmid mac Crimthainn a 9th century King of Munster. Other families who make use of the wild boar image are Cassidy, McCann, and Sweeny.
The symbols of Irish heraldry are very plentiful including wild and mythical beasts, weapons, and heraldic emblems, these are merely a couple which are distinctly Irish. If you have Irish ancestors there are numerous good books available that will assist an armature genealogist find out about their family crest.
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