A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beirne family of Ireland.
Reg. 7596 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
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
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. an oak tree eradicated ppr. in base a lizard vert and in dexter base point a saltire couped gu. on a chief az. a sun in splendour or, and a crescent of the field”
IrelandConnaught, c. 1645
Where the Beirne Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Beirne arms are recorded
The Beirne arms were recorded in Connaught, 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 Beirne 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 Beirne Family in Ireland
The surname Beirne is an anglicized version of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Beirn, which translates to descendant of Beirn. The name originates from the province of Connacht, where the family was historically prominent as a sept of the Uí Briúin dynasty. By the middle of the seventeenth century, members of the family had expanded their reach beyond their traditional western territories and established a presence in the growing urban center of Dublin. Records from 1645 confirm that individuals bearing this name were active in the capital during a time of significant political and social transition in Ireland. This migration reflects the broader movement of Irish families toward administrative and commercial hubs during the mid-seventeenth century as the landscape of Irish society began to shift under new governance.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ó Birn
Derived from the Old Norse personal name Bjorn meaning bear.
This name
BeirneA Gaelic patronymic surname signifying descendant of the bear-like warrior.
also spelled
Byrne
O'Beirne
Bern
Related arms
Bernvariant spelling
Byrnevariant spelling
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
Woulfe, Patrick. Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames. 1923
National Archives of Ireland. Civil Survey, 1654-1656
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
