Map of Ireland showing where the Cowser arms are recorded
The Cowser 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 Cowser 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 Cowser Family in Ireland
The family name Cowser is rooted in the complex history of seventeenth-century Ireland, with documented evidence placing members of the family in Dublin as early as 1611. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and administration, serving as a primary destination for those moving within the British Isles. The name likely evolved from occupational or locational roots common to the era, reflecting the linguistic shifts occurring as English and Scots settlers integrated into the Irish social landscape. Families like the Cowsers often found themselves part of the growing urban middle class, participating in the city's expanding merchant networks and civic life. By establishing a presence in the capital, these early ancestors were positioned at the heart of the political and economic changes that defined Ireland during the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac Comhghusa
Derived from the Gaelic personal name Comhghus meaning fellow or companion.
This name
CowserA patronymic surname signifying descendant of the companion or follower.
also spelled
Coskar
Coskier
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Firth, C. H., Acts and Ordinances of the Interregnum, 1642–1660, 1911
National Archives of Ireland, Calendar of the State Papers Relating to Ireland, 1608–1610, 1874
Royal Irish Academy, 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
