A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Clancy family of Ireland.
Reg. 5952 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. two lions pass. guard. in pale gu”
MonaghanMonaghan, c. 1645
Where the Clancy Arms Were Recorded
Monaghan
Map of Ireland showing where the Clancy arms are recorded
The Clancy arms were recorded in Monaghan, c. 1645.
Monaghan was drumlin country on the southern edge of Ulster. Old Irish families held it before the plantations and settlers after, and both sorts took arms as landowners.
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 Clancy 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 Monaghan.
Origin & History of the Clancy Family in Ireland
The surname Clancy originates from the Irish Gaelic name Mac Fhlannchaidh, which translates to "son of the red warrior." The family was historically prominent in the province of Munster, particularly in County Clare, where they served as hereditary lawyers and judges, known as brehons, to the powerful O'Brien dynasty. While their roots were deep in the west of Ireland, the family expanded across the country over many centuries. By 1645, records confirm that members of the Clancy family were well-established in County Monaghan. This migration was likely part of the broader patterns of movement and land settlement that defined Irish life during the seventeenth century. As the family settled in new regions, they maintained their identity while adapting to the changing social and political landscape of the era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac Fhlannchaidh
Son of the red warrior or son of the ruddy one.
This name
ClancyDerived from a Gaelic personal name meaning red-headed or ruddy, denoting a warrior lineage.
also spelled
Clanchy
Clancey
Glancy
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
O'Hart, John. Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation. 1892
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of County Monaghan
National Library of Ireland, Genealogical Office Manuscripts
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
