A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Birt family of Ireland.
Reg. 3419 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
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)
“Az. a birt fish ppr”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Birt Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Birt arms are recorded
The Birt 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 Birt 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 Birt Family in Ireland
The surname Birt is believed to have roots in both Old English and Germanic naming traditions, often serving as a variation of the name Bright or Bert. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Dublin, Ireland. Records from 1645 indicate that members of the Birt family were active participants in the social and economic life of the city during a period of significant political upheaval. As Dublin served as a major hub for trade and administration, families like the Birts often integrated into the urban merchant and professional classes. Over time, the name evolved through various spellings in local parish registers and legal documents, reflecting the linguistic shifts common in colonial and post-colonial Ireland. This early Dublin connection suggests that the family was well-positioned within the city’s developing civic structures during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beorht
An Old English element meaning bright, shining, or illustrious.
This name
BirtA topographical or occupational surname derived from a bright or clear location.
also spelled
Byrt
Burte
Related arms
Burtevariant spelling
Byrt, or Byrttvariant 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 Dublin, 1654–1656
Royal Irish Academy, A New History of Ireland, Volume III: Early Modern Ireland 1534–1691, 1976
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fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
