A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bookey family of Ireland.
Reg. 4969 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bordureA difference between branches of one family
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. on a bend ar. three martlets sa. within a bordure of the second”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Bookey Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Bookey arms are recorded
The Bookey 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 Bookey 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 Bookey Family in Ireland
The family name Bookey has deep roots in the city of Dublin, where records confirm members of the family were established by the mid-seventeenth century. During the 1640s, Ireland was a place of significant political and social upheaval, and the presence of the Bookey family in the capital suggests they were part of the growing urban middle class during this era. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older occupational or descriptive surnames that evolved as families moved into city centers for trade and professional work. By 1645, the family was already integrated into the administrative life of Dublin, likely participating in the local commerce that defined the city’s expansion during the seventeenth century. As the family grew, they became a consistent part of the historical fabric of the region, leaving behind traces in legal and property documents that track their development from the mid-1600s onward.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Boc
Old English term referring to a beech tree or a book.
This name
BookeyA topographical name for someone who lived near a prominent beech tree or a scribe.
also spelled
Bookie
Boukey
Bucky
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Archives of Ireland, Prerogative and Diocesan Wills and Administrations
Dublin City Archives, Dublin City Assembly Rolls
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
Moody, T.W., Martin, F.X., and Byrne, F.J., A New History of Ireland, Volume III: Early Modern Ireland 1534–1691, 1976
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bordureA difference between branches of one family
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bordureA difference between branches of one family
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
