A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bennis family of Ireland.
Reg. 6035 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. three oat sheaves or”
ClareClare, c. 1645
Where the Bennis Arms Were Recorded
Clare
Map of Ireland showing where the Bennis arms are recorded
The Bennis arms were recorded in Clare, c. 1645.
Clare was rocky western Irish country, poor in farmland but held tightly by a few old families. Land there changed hands rarely, and families who stayed put ended up in the records.
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 Bennis 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 Clare.
Origin & History of the Bennis Family in Ireland
The Bennis family name has deep roots in County Clare, Ireland, where records confirm their presence as early as 1645. During this period, the family was established in the region around Limerick and Clare, often associated with the local farming and merchant classes. The name is believed to be an anglicized version of older Gaelic surnames, though it evolved to become distinct within the local community over several generations. By the mid-seventeenth century, the Bennis family was already integrated into the social and economic fabric of the area. They lived through a time of significant political change in Ireland, which likely influenced how the family moved and settled across the landscape. Their long history in County Clare suggests that they were resilient people who maintained strong ties to their local land and traditions for centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Benedictus
Latin for blessed or well-spoken
This name
BennisA patronymic surname derived from a shortened form of the name Benedict.
also spelled
Bennys
Bennie
Benny
Beny
Related arms
Bennie, Benzie, Binnie, or Bennyvariant spelling
Bennyvariant spelling
Benyvariant 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
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Clare, 1654–1656
O’Brien, John, The History of the Diocese of Killaloe, 1900
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
