A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chaigneau family of Ireland.
Reg. 8281 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. three lions' heads erased or”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Chaigneau Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Chaigneau arms are recorded
The Chaigneau 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 Chaigneau 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 Chaigneau Family in Ireland
The Chaigneau family name is rooted in the French language, likely originating from the word *chaigne*, which refers to an oak tree. This suggests that the earliest ancestors may have lived near a prominent oak forest or worked with oak timber. By the year 1645, members of the family had established a significant presence in Dublin, Ireland. They were part of a wave of Huguenot refugees who fled religious persecution in France to seek safety and new opportunities abroad. Once settled in Ireland, the family became well-known for their involvement in trade and civic life. They integrated into the local community while maintaining their distinct cultural identity, eventually becoming a respected part of the merchant class in the city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
chêne
Old French term for an oak tree.
This name
ChaigneauA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent oak forest or grove.
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Agnew, David C. A., Protestant Exiles from France in the Reign of Louis XIV, 1871
National Archives of Ireland, Huguenot Records, 1645–1800
Vigors, T. D., The Huguenot Society of Great Britain and Ireland: Publications, 1901
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
