Cogan Coat of Arms Record & History

A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cogan family lines. Documented in 3 countries.

Reg. 1012 · English, A–C

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Where the Cogan Arms Were Recorded

Somerset
Map of England showing where the Cogan arms are recorded

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.

Region
Somerset
Town
Chard
First recorded
1620

Granting Authority for the Cogan Arms

Arms of College of Arms
College of Arms Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
Authority

College of Arms

1484-present

The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.

Portrait of James VI and I
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period

James VI and I

1603–1625

Reigning in England when the Cogan arms are first recorded.

How Arms Worked in England

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.

Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Somerset.

Origin & History of the Cogan Family in England

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.

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Where the Cogan Arms Were Recorded

Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Cogan arms are recorded

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.

Region
Dublin
First recorded
1645

Granting Authority for the Cogan Arms

Arms of Ulster King of Arms
Ulster King of Arms Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
Authority

Ulster King of Arms

1552-1943

The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.

Portrait of Charles I of England
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period

Charles I of England

1625–1649

Reigning in England when the Cogan 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 Cogan Family in Ireland

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.

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Where the Cogan Arms Were Recorded

Denbigh
Map of Wales showing where the Cogan arms are recorded

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.

Region
Denbigh
First recorded
1647

Granting Authority for the Cogan Arms

Arms of College of Arms
College of Arms Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
Authority

College of Arms

1484-present

The body that granted and recorded arms in Wales in this period.

Portrait of Charles I of England
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period

Charles I of England

1625–1649

Reigning in England when the Cogan arms are first recorded.

How Arms Worked in Wales

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.

Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Wales.

Origin & History of the Cogan Family in Wales

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.

Related Branches & Arms

Root word
Cog

A Middle English term referring to a small boat or vessel.

This name
CoganAn occupational name for a sailor or a person who built small boats.
also spelled
Coggan
Kogan
Coggins
Related arms
Spencerrecorded with Cogan, same area
Symesrecorded with Cogan, same area
Symsrecorded with Cogan, same area

Documented Sources

Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884

Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901

Somerset Archives, Quarter Sessions Records, 1620

Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958

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The Cogan arms on the framed, black wood
Framed, black wood 11 × 14 in, printed on heavy archival paper, framed in black wood and ready to hang.
$119.00
Free shipping
The Cogan arms on the set of 4 mugs
Set of 4 mugs Four matching 11 oz white ceramic mugs, dishwasher safe, the arms printed on each.
$49.99
Free shipping
The Cogan arms on the family cap - unisex
Family cap - unisex Walnut bill, cream crown, one size fits all. The arms on the front.
$39.99
Free shipping
The Cogan coat of arms
Digital archive pack Coat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
The Cogan arms on the framed, black wood
Framed, black wood 11 × 14 in, printed on heavy archival paper, framed in black wood and ready to hang.
$119.00
Free shipping
The Cogan arms on the set of 4 mugs
Set of 4 mugs Four matching 11 oz white ceramic mugs, dishwasher safe, the arms printed on each.
$49.99
Free shipping
The Cogan arms on the family cap - unisex
Family cap - unisex Walnut bill, cream crown, one size fits all. The arms on the front.
$39.99
Free shipping
The Cogan coat of arms
Digital archive pack Coat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.