A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cosker family of Ireland.
Reg. 8598 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cinquefoilHope and joy
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 chev. compony counter compony gu. and az. betw. three cinquefoils pierced of the last, a crescent for diff”
Irelandc. 1611
Where the Cosker Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Cosker arms are recorded
The Cosker arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1611.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Ireland when the Cosker 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 Cosker Family in Ireland
The surname Cosker is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Dublin, with documented evidence confirming the presence of family members in the city as early as 1611. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and administration, serving as a primary gateway between Ireland and the rest of Europe. Families living in the city at this time often navigated a complex social environment shaped by shifting political loyalties and the expansion of urban commerce. The name likely evolved as a localized variation of earlier Gaelic or Anglo-Norman naming traditions, reflecting the diverse cultural influences that defined the capital. By establishing themselves in Dublin during the seventeenth century, the early members of the Cosker family became part of the city’s long-standing tradition of craft, trade, and civic participation, helping to anchor the name within the region’s historical narrative.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac Oscair
Son of Oscar, derived from the Gaelic elements for deer and friend.
This name
CoskerA patronymic surname signifying descent from a person named Oscar, meaning deer-lover.
also spelled
Coskar
Coskier
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Archives of Ireland, Calendar of the Justiciary Rolls or Proceedings in the Court of the Justiciar of Ireland
The National Archives (UK), State Papers Ireland, 1603–1625
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
Moody, T.W., Martin, F.X., and Byrne, F.J., A New History of Ireland, Volume III: Early Modern Ireland 1534–1691, 1976
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
cinquefoilHope and joy
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cinquefoilHope and joy
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
