A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ash family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6961 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
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)
“Gu. three mews ar. legged and beaked or, each holding in his beak an ash leaf slipped vert”
KildareRobert Ash · Kildare, c. 1608
Where the Ash Arms Were Recorded
Kildare
Map of Ireland showing where the Ash arms are recorded
The Ash arms were recorded in Kildare, c. 1608.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Ireland when the Ash 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 Ash Family in Ireland
The history of the Ash family in Ireland is deeply rooted in the plantation period of the early seventeenth century. By 1608, members of the family were established in County Kildare, where they integrated into the local administrative and social structures of the region. The name itself is of English origin, typically denoting a person who lived near a prominent ash tree, but its presence in Ireland reflects the movement of settlers who arrived to manage land and serve in local government. As these families settled into Kildare, they became part of the shifting landscape of Irish society, often taking on roles as landowners or officials. Their early presence in the county highlights the broader patterns of migration that reshaped Irish communities during this era. Over time, the family became a fixture of the local landscape, contributing to the development of the area while maintaining their distinct identity within the changing political climate of the seventeenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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, three bars az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Ash Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Ash arms are recorded
The Ash arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them 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 Ash 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 England.
Origin & History of the Ash Family in England
The surname Ash is a classic example of a topographical name, which means it was originally given to people who lived near a prominent landmark. In medieval England, families often took their last names from the landscape surrounding their homes, and the ash tree was a common and significant feature of the countryside. By the time members of the family were recorded living in York in 1620, the name had already been established for generations across various English counties. These early families were typically part of the emerging middle class, often working as tradespeople or farmers who were deeply connected to the local economy of northern England. As the family settled in York, they became part of a vibrant city that served as a major hub for commerce and religious life during the early seventeenth century. This transition from rural roots to city living reflects the broader social changes occurring in England as families sought new opportunities in growing urban centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fraxinus
Latin term for the ash tree genus.
This name
AshA topographic name for someone who lived near an ash tree or in an ash grove.
also spelled
Asshe
Aishe
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
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
National Archives of Ireland, Inquisitionum in Officio Rotulorum Cancellariae Hiberniae Asservatarum Repertorium
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martletA younger son, who must win his own land
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
