Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Gu. three aspin leaves ar”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cogan family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Gu. three aspin leaves ar”
The Cogan arms were recorded in Somerset, c. 1620.
Somerset was rich farming country with a thick scattering of manor houses. Its gentry were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with arms.
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.
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
The Cogan family name has deep roots in the English county of Somerset, where records confirm their presence by the early 17th century. The name is believed to have originated from the Old Irish word "cogadh," which translates to war or conflict, suggesting that early ancestors may have been known for their military involvement or assertive nature. By the time the family was firmly established in Somerset in 1620, they were often associated with the local wool trade and agricultural life, which were the primary drivers of the regional economy. Over the generations, the family integrated into the social fabric of the West Country, moving from their initial roles as landholders and merchants to become influential members of their local parishes. Their history reflects the broader patterns of English migration and settlement, as families often established strong regional identities that lasted for centuries.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Gu. three oak leaves ar”
The Cogan 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 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.
The name Cogan has deep roots in Ireland that stretch back long before the mid-seventeenth century. While the family is often associated with the Norman invasion of the twelfth century, they became firmly established within the Irish social landscape over the following hundreds of years. By the time records place the family in Dublin in 1645, they were already part of a complex web of landowners and city dwellers who had integrated into the local culture. During this period, the Cogans were navigating a time of great political upheaval as Ireland faced significant changes under shifting government control. Their presence in the capital city suggests they were likely involved in the professional or merchant classes that kept Dublin functioning during these turbulent years. Through their long residence in the country, the family evolved from their medieval origins into a distinct part of the Irish historical narrative.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ar. three aspin leaves gu. (another, slipped ar.)”
The Cogan arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to a coat of arms.
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.
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
The Cogan family name has deep roots in the history of Wales, particularly within the northern region of Denbigh. By the middle of the seventeenth century, the family was well-established in this area, as evidenced by records from 1647 that place them firmly within the local community. While the name likely arrived in Wales through the movement of people across the border from England, those who settled in Denbigh became integrated into the local social and economic life of the town. During this period, families like the Cogans often played roles in the administration of local lands or trade, helping to shape the development of the region. Their presence in Denbigh during such a turbulent time in British history suggests that they were resilient members of the gentry or the merchant class who managed to maintain their standing through shifting political landscapes. Over time, the family name became a permanent part of the Welsh identity in the north, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and settlement that defined the era.
A Middle English term referring to a small boat or vessel.


