A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Conaghan family of France.
Reg. 7969 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. au pairle de sa.; aux 2 et 3 d'or à trois fermaux d'azur [Comp. Coningham, Conyngham, Cuningham, Cuninghame, Cunninghame et Cunninghame.]”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Conaghan arms are recorded
The Conaghan arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Conaghan arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Conaghan Family in France
The surname Conaghan is rooted in the Gaelic tradition, originating from the Irish name Ó Connacháin, which translates to a descendant of Connachán. While the name is deeply tied to the history of Ireland, members of the family were documented living in the region of Bretagne, France, as early as 1725. During the eighteenth century, many families from Ireland migrated to France due to political instability and the search for new economic opportunities. These individuals often integrated into local communities while maintaining their distinct cultural heritage. By settling in Bretagne, the Conaghan family became part of the long history of migration between the Celtic nations of Europe. Their presence in French parish records from this era highlights how families moved across borders to establish new lives while preserving the legacy of their ancestral name.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cúne
Derived from the Gaelic word for hound or wolf.
This name
ConaghanA patronymic surname signifying the descendant of the little hound.
also spelled
Conigen
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation, 1892
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.
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
