A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Calvey family of Ireland.
Reg. 7983 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a fesse betw. two chev. ar”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Calvey Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Calvey arms are recorded
The Calvey 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 Calvey 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 Calvey Family in Ireland
The family name Calvey has deep roots in the social landscape of seventeenth-century Ireland, particularly within the city of Dublin. By 1645, records confirm that members of the Calvey family were established residents in this bustling urban center. During this period, Dublin was a place of significant political and social transition, and families living there were often involved in the trade, craft, or administrative life of the capital. While the name is sometimes associated with broader Gaelic or Hiberno-Norman origins, its presence in mid-seventeenth-century Dublin suggests that the family was well-integrated into the city's growing commercial network. These early ancestors likely navigated the challenges of a changing Ireland, leaving behind a legacy that links the name to the historical heart of the nation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac Calbhaigh
Son of the bald or beardless one.
This name
CalveyDerived from a Gaelic personal name meaning bald or shaven-headed.
also spelled
Calvie
Calvy
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
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
