Map of Ireland showing where the Cooley arms are recorded
The Cooley 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 Ireland when the Cooley 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 Cooley Family in Ireland
The surname Cooley is primarily of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Ó Cúlaigh, which translates to descendant of the narrow or secluded one. While the name has roots in various parts of Ireland, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in Dublin by 1645. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political activity, and families like the Cooleys were often involved in the urban life of the city as it navigated the turbulent events of the seventeenth century. Over time, the name evolved from its original Gaelic spelling to the anglicized version commonly used today. This transition reflects the broader linguistic shifts that occurred in Ireland as English became the dominant language for legal and social documentation. By settling in major hubs like Dublin, the family integrated into the developing administrative and commercial structures of the era, helping to cement their presence in Irish history.
Cooley Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mac Giolla Chúille
Son of the devotee of the saint named Cúille.
This name
CooleyDerived from a Gaelic patronymic indicating a descendant of a follower of a specific saint.
also spelled
Cowley
Related arms
Cautlowsame arms
Cowleyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
