A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cantwell family of Ireland.
Reg. 6638 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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. five annulets and a canton erm”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Cantwell Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Cantwell arms are recorded
The Cantwell 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 Cantwell 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 Cantwell Family in Ireland
The Cantwell family name has deep roots in Ireland, originating from the Anglo-Norman settlers who arrived in the country during the late twelfth century. The name is locational in origin, likely derived from a place in England known as Cantwell, which translates to a cold spring or well. By the time the family established a documented presence in Dublin in 1645, they had already integrated into the social and political fabric of the island for several hundred years. Many members of the family became prominent landowners in the province of Leinster, particularly in County Kilkenny, where they held significant estates. Over the centuries, the family navigated the shifting political landscape of Ireland, transitioning from their roles as medieval landholders to becoming deeply embedded in the urban life of Dublin during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cantelou
Derived from the Old French words for head and wolf.
This name
CantwellAn Anglo-Norman habitational name originating from a place in Normandy called Chanteloup.
also spelled
Cantwill
Cantewelle
Related arms
Cauntwellvariant 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
Woulfe, Patrick. Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames. 1923
National Archives of Ireland. Civil Survey of the County of Kilkenny. 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.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
