A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Coakley family of Ireland.
Reg. 9587 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Erm. on a chief sa. a lion's head erased betw. two eagles displ. or”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Coakley Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Coakley arms are recorded
The Coakley 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 Coakley 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 Coakley Family in Ireland
The Coakley surname has deep roots in Ireland, with historical records confirming the presence of family members in Dublin as early as 1645. The name is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ó Cúchláich, which translates to descendant of the hound of the hero. This suggests that the family likely originated from a lineage that valued strength, loyalty, and martial skill. During the mid-seventeenth century, Dublin was a bustling center of political and social change, and the Coakleys were part of the urban fabric during this turbulent era. As the name transitioned from its original Irish form into its modern spelling, the family became integrated into the administrative and social life of the capital city. Over time, the name spread from these early urban foundations to other parts of Ireland, maintaining its connection to its Gaelic linguistic heritage.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac Caochlaoich
Son of the descendant of the blind hero or warrior.
This name
CoakleyDerived from a Gaelic byname signifying a person with impaired vision or a blind warrior.
also spelled
Cokely
Coakly
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
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
