A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cowhey family of Ireland.
Reg. 3189 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. per pale in the dexter half an oak tree eradicated ppr.; in the sinister, a fish naiant on waves of the sea also ppr., a chief az. charged with a greyhound courant of the first”
IrelandBelfast, c. 1861
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Map of Ireland showing where the Cowhey arms are recorded
The Cowhey arms were recorded in Belfast, c. 1861.
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.
Victoria
Sovereign of the period
Victoria
1837–1901
Reigning in Ireland when the Cowhey 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 Cowhey Family in Ireland
The surname Cowhey is a variant of the Irish name Ó Cobhthaigh, which translates to a descendant of Cobhthach, a name meaning victorious or triumphant. Historically, the family originated in the province of Munster, particularly in counties Cork and Kerry, where they were known as a learned family of poets and historians. By the mid-nineteenth century, the Great Famine and the subsequent industrial growth in northern cities caused many families to migrate from the rural south to urban centers. The presence of the Cowhey family in Belfast by 1861 reflects this broader pattern of internal migration, as individuals moved to the city to find work in the booming linen and shipbuilding industries. During this time, the family name began to appear more frequently in urban records as they integrated into the developing social and economic fabric of Belfast.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac Cathmhaoil
Derived from the personal name Cathmhaol meaning battle chief.
This name
CowheyAn anglicized form of an Irish surname signifying a descendant of a battle chieftain.
also spelled
Coie
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
Ó Murchadha, Diarmuid, The Families of County Cork, 1985
General Register Office for Northern Ireland, Census of Ireland 1901 and 1911, (Records relating to earlier residence patterns)
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, Belfast Street Directories, 1861
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
