A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Craney family of Ireland.
Reg. 2947 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
elephantGreat strength, wit and ambition
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
wolfReward from long service and hard work
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. on a mount ppr. an elephant ppr. on a chief per pale gu. and vert, in dexter a crane ppr., in sinister a wolf ramp. or”
IrelandPortarlington, c. 1808
Where the Craney Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Craney arms are recorded
The Craney arms were recorded in Portarlington, c. 1808.
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.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1801–1820
Reigning in Ireland when the Craney 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 Craney Family in Ireland
The surname Craney is primarily rooted in the Irish language, originating from the Gaelic name Ó Críonáin, which translates to a descendant of the little brown one. While the name is found in various parts of Ireland, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in Dublin by 1808. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and social change, and families like the Craneys often worked in skilled trades or as laborers within the city’s growing urban landscape. Because the name evolved from spoken Gaelic into its Anglicized form, it reflects the linguistic shifts that occurred as English became more common in administrative and legal documents. By the early 19th century, the Craneys in Dublin were part of a resilient population navigating the complexities of city life, contributing to the local economy and the evolving identity of the capital.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ó Críonáin
Derived from the Gaelic word críon meaning withered or small.
This name
CraneyA patronymic surname signifying a descendant of a person characterized as small or withered.
also spelled
Cranie
Related arms
Champagnérecorded with Craney, same area
Dawson-Damerrecorded with Craney, same area
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
National Archives of Ireland, Parish Records of the Archdiocese of Dublin, 1808
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
elephantGreat strength, wit and ambition
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
wolfReward from long service and hard work
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
elephantGreat strength, wit and ambition
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
wolfReward from long service and hard work
