A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cosgrave family of Ireland.
Reg. 7797 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Or, a lion ramp. sa. ducally crowned gu., a crescent for diff”
Irelandc. 1597
Where the Cosgrave Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Cosgrave arms are recorded
The Cosgrave arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1597.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in Ireland when the Cosgrave 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 Cosgrave Family in Ireland
The surname Cosgrave originates from the Gaelic Irish name Mac Cosgraigh, which translates to "son of the victor" or "son of the one who is fond of victory." The family was historically associated with the province of Leinster, and by the late sixteenth century, they had established a notable presence in the city of Dublin. Records confirm that members of the family were living in the capital as early as 1597, during a time of significant political and social transition in Ireland. As the family integrated into the urban life of Dublin, they became part of the growing merchant and professional classes that shaped the city’s development. Over the following centuries, the name spread further across the country, maintaining its roots in the linguistic and cultural traditions of the Irish people.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Coscraigh
Derived from the Gaelic word for victory or slaughter.
This name
CosgraveRefers to a descendant of the victorious one or a warrior.
also spelled
Cosgrove
Cusgrave
Cusgrove
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, Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns, 1597
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
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
