A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Conyngham family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9881 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au pairle alésé de sa., acc. de trois étoiles mal-ordonnées du même. C.: une tête de licorne d'arg., accornée et crinée d'or. S.: à dextre un cheval d'arg., la crinière, la queue et les sabots d'or, la poitrine ch. d'une aigle du même; à sen. un cerf au nat., ramé et onglé d'or, la poitrine ch. d'une tête de griffon du même. D.: OVER FORK OVER.”
Francec. 1753
Where the Conyngham Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Conyngham arms are recorded
The Conyngham arms were recorded in France, c. 1753.
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 Conyngham 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 Conyngham Family in France
The roots of the Conyngham family in France are tied to the complex political and social landscape of the eighteenth century. By 1753, members of the family were established in the region of Bretagne, a coastal area known for its distinct cultural identity and historical connections to the British Isles. During this period, families of noble or landed status often moved across the English Channel to maintain political allegiances or to pursue military and administrative careers. The presence of the Conynghams in Bretagne suggests they were part of a mobile elite that navigated the shifting borders between France and the wider European continent. These individuals often integrated into local society by forming alliances with regional families while maintaining their unique ancestral identity. Their transition into French life reflects the broader patterns of migration and social adaptation that defined the lives of many prominent families during the Enlightenment era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a shake fork betw. three mullets sa”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Conyngham Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Conyngham arms are recorded
The Conyngham 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 France when the Conyngham 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 Conyngham Family in Ireland
The Conyngham family name has deep roots in Ireland that stretch back to the mid-seventeenth century. While the name originates from Scottish ancestry, members of the family established a significant presence in Dublin by 1645. During this period, the family became deeply integrated into the political and social life of the city. They were known for their involvement in military service and land administration, which helped them secure a lasting influence in Irish society. Over the following decades, the family expanded their reach beyond the capital, eventually becoming prominent landowners in County Donegal. Their transition from newcomers to established members of the Irish landed class highlights how families during this era often used government service to build their status and secure their future in a new country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cunninghame
A place name derived from Old English meaning king's home or dwelling.
This name
ConynghamAn anglicized variation of a Scottish place name referring to a royal residence or settlement.
also spelled
Coningham
Cunningham
Cunyngham
Related arms
Coninghamvariant spelling
Corninghamvariant spelling
Cuninghamevariant spelling
Cunninghamvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E: Familles, seigneuries et terres
Poter de Courcy, Pol, Nobiliaire et armorial de Bretagne, 1890
Archives nationales de France, Série O: Maison du Roi
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starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
