Map of Ireland showing where the Armitage arms are recorded
The Armitage arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Armitage 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 Ireland.
Origin & History of the Armitage Family in Ireland
The Armitage family name originated in England as a locational surname, but it established a significant presence in Ireland by the mid-seventeenth century. Records confirm that members of the family were living in Dublin as early as 1645, a period defined by the political instability of the Irish Confederate Wars. During this time, many families of English origin moved to Ireland to serve in administrative or military roles as the government sought to solidify control over the region. These early settlers often integrated into the urban life of Dublin, which served as the primary hub for trade and governance. By establishing themselves in the capital, the Armitage family became part of the shifting social landscape of seventeenth-century Ireland, transitioning from their English roots to become a recognized name within the Irish administrative records of the era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Or, two piles issuant from the chief, and one from the base gu. those in chief charged with a cross crosslet, and that in base with a lion's head erased ar”
ChesterEgremont · Chester, c. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Armitage arms are recorded
The Armitage arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Ireland when the Armitage arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Chester.
Origin & History of the Armitage Family in England
The surname Armitage is a locational name that originated in the north of England, specifically derived from the Middle English word *hermitage*. This term referred to a secluded dwelling or a small religious cell occupied by a hermit, often located on land owned by a monastery. Over time, families living near these sites began to adopt the name as a way to identify their place of residence. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Chester. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Armitage family were active in this region, likely drawn to the city by its status as a major center for trade and administration in the northwest. As the family moved away from their original rural roots, they integrated into the urban life of Chester, contributing to the local economy and society during a period of significant growth for the city.
Armitage Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Eremita
A person who lives in solitude as a religious recluse.
This name
ArmitageRefers to a dweller at a hermitage or a secluded religious settlement.
also spelled
Armytage
Related arms
Armytagesame arms
Lucierecorded with Armitage, same area
Wyndhamrecorded with Armitage, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin
Representative Church Body Library, Dublin Parish Registers
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
Moody, T.W., Martin, F.X., and Byrne, F.J., A New History of Ireland, Volume III: Early Modern Ireland 1534–1691, 1976
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
