A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Athy family of Ireland.
Reg. 2837 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Chequey gu. and ar. a chev. sa”
GalwayGalway, c. 1645
Where the Athy Arms Were Recorded
Galway
Map of Ireland showing where the Athy arms are recorded
The Athy arms were recorded in Galway, c. 1645.
Galway was western Irish country of poor land and a rich port. A small group of merchant families ran the town for centuries and held estates around it, and both kinds of property 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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Athy 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 Galway.
Origin & History of the Athy Family in Ireland
The family name Athy is deeply connected to the history of Galway, Ireland, where the family became one of the famous Tribes of Galway. These tribes were a group of merchant families who held significant political and economic power in the city for several centuries. By 1645, the Athy family was well-established as a prominent part of this merchant class. They played a major role in the local government and international trade that defined the city during the medieval and early modern periods. The family name itself is thought to be of Norman origin, reflecting the arrival of settlers who integrated into Irish society and adopted the customs of the region. Over time, the Athy family helped shape the development of Galway into a bustling port city before the political upheavals of the mid-seventeenth century changed the landscape of Irish land ownership and social status.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ath
An Irish word meaning a ford or a river crossing.
This name
AthyRefers to a person who lived near a ford or river crossing.
also spelled
Athie
Athee
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Hardiman, James, The History of the Town and County of the Town of Galway, 1820
O'Flaherty, Roderic, A Chorographical Description of West or H-Iar Connaught, 1684
National Archives of Ireland, Records of the Corporation of Galway
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
