Map of Ireland showing where the Blackshear arms are recorded
The Blackshear arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1613.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Ireland when the Blackshear 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 Blackshear Family in Ireland
The Blackshear family name has roots that trace back to the bustling urban environment of Dublin in the early seventeenth century. Records confirm that members of the family were established residents of the city by 1613, a time when Dublin was undergoing significant social and economic shifts under English administration. During this era, the city served as a major hub for trade and administration, attracting families who often worked in professional or mercantile roles. Because the name appears in official documentation during this period, it suggests that the family was part of the growing urban middle class that helped shape the city’s development. While the name itself likely evolved from descriptive linguistic roots common to the region, its presence in Dublin archives highlights a long history of integration into the administrative and social fabric of Ireland’s capital city.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Az. a chev. erm. betw. three Moors' heads in profile couped sa”
BuckinghamshireOld Sarum · Buckinghamshire, c. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Blackshear arms are recorded
The Blackshear arms were recorded in Buckinghamshire, c. 1620.
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 Blackshear 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 Buckinghamshire.
Origin & History of the Blackshear Family in England
The Blackshear family name traces its roots to the rural landscape of Buckinghamshire, England, where records confirm members of the family were living by the year 1620. The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname, as it is composed of the Old English words for "black" and "shear," which often referred to a person with dark hair or someone who worked with shears in the wool trade. During the early seventeenth century, Buckinghamshire was a region defined by its agricultural economy and growing market towns. Families in this area were often tied to the land or local crafts, and the Blackshears were part of the hardworking population that helped shape the local community. As the century progressed, the family remained part of the social fabric of the English countryside before some members eventually sought new opportunities abroad.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Blaec scear
Old English words for dark or black and a cutting tool.
This name
BlackshearLikely an occupational name for a shearer of dark wool or cloth.
also spelled
Blaker
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Archives of Ireland, Calendar of the Patent Rolls of the Chancery of Ireland
Dublin City Library and Archive, The Ancient Records of Dublin
Lydon, James, The Making of Ireland: From Ancient Times to the Present, 1998
McCullough, Niall, Dublin: An Urban History, 2007
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
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
