Map of Ireland showing where the Colgan arms are recorded
The Colgan arms were recorded in Tenerife, 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 Colgan 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 Colgan Family in Ireland
The surname Colgan is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ó Colgáin, which translates to descendant of Colgán. The root of this name is the word colg, meaning a sword or a sharp blade, suggesting that the original bearers were likely perceived as fierce or skilled warriors. By the mid-17th century, the family had established a notable presence in Dublin, as evidenced by records from 1645. During this period, the Colgans were part of the complex social landscape of a city undergoing significant political upheaval. While the family name is most strongly associated with the ancient kingdom of Oriel in the northern midlands of Ireland, the 1645 records confirm that members of the family had moved into the capital to participate in the urban life of the era. This migration reflects the broader movement of Irish families toward administrative and commercial centers during the 17th century.
Colgan Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Ó Colgáin
Descendant of the sharp or pointed one.
This name
ColganDerived from the Gaelic word colg meaning a sword or sharp point.
also spelled
Cologhan
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Woulfe, Patrick. Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames. 1923
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
National Archives of Ireland. Civil Survey of the County of Dublin. 1654–1656
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
