A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alen family of Ireland.
Reg. 6195 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a chev. gu. betw. three torteaux each charged with a talbot pass. or, on a chief az. a lion pass. betw. two crescents erm”
KildareKildare, c. 1551
Where the Alen Arms Were Recorded
Kildare
Map of Ireland showing where the Alen arms are recorded
The Alen arms were recorded in Kildare, c. 1551.
Kildare was flat grazing country close to Dublin, taken early by Norman families. Being near the seat of government meant being near where arms were recorded, which is why so many Kildare names appear.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
Edward VI of England
Sovereign of the period
Edward VI of England
1547–1553
Reigning in Ireland when the Alen arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Kildare.
Origin & History of the Alen Family in Ireland
The Alen family name has deep roots in County Kildare, where members of the family established themselves as prominent figures by the mid-sixteenth century. Historical records confirm their presence in the region by 1551, a time when the family became closely linked to the administration of lands and local governance. The name is often associated with the Anglo-Norman influence in Ireland, as families of this background frequently served as officials or landowners who helped shape the political landscape of the Pale. Over the generations, the Alens became well-integrated into the social fabric of Kildare, often holding positions of trust that allowed them to influence the development of their local communities. Their early history reflects the broader transition of families who moved into Ireland during periods of political change and eventually became deeply tied to the history of their specific counties.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Alain
Derived from the ancient Celtic tribe known as the Alani.
This name
AlenA surname of Gaelic origin meaning handsome, cheerful, or harmonious.
also spelled
Allyn
Alleyn
Related arms
Alanvariant spelling
Alleynvariant spelling
Allynvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Archdall, Mervyn, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786
The National Archives of Ireland, Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns, Record Series: Chancery Records
White, Newport B., Extents of Irish Monastic Possessions, 1540-1541, 1943
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