A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Crowe family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6432 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 vert an oak tree ppr. a canton gu. charged with an antique Irish Crown or”
ClareDromore House · Clare, c. 1645
Where the Crowe Arms Were Recorded
Clare
Map of Ireland showing where the Crowe arms are recorded
The Crowe arms were recorded in Clare, c. 1645.
Clare was rocky western Irish country, poor in farmland but held tightly by a few old families. Land there changed hands rarely, and families who stayed put ended up in the records.
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.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Crowe 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 Clare.
Origin & History of the Crowe Family in Ireland
The family name Crowe has deep roots in the west of Ireland, particularly within County Clare where members of the family were documented as early as 1645. The name is often considered an Anglicized version of the Gaelic surname Ó Cruadhlaoich, which translates to descendant of the hard hero or brave warrior. During the seventeenth century, families in this region faced significant political upheaval and land redistribution, which often forced them to adapt their traditional Gaelic names into forms that were easier for English officials to record. By settling in the rugged landscape of Clare, the Crowe family became part of the complex social fabric of the province of Munster. They lived through a time when the transition from the old Gaelic order to a new colonial administration changed how families identified themselves and held onto their ancestral lands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. a chev. or, betw. three cocks ar”
CarmarthenLlanherne · Carmarthen, c. 1586
Where the Crowe Arms Were Recorded
Carmarthen
Map of Wales showing where the Crowe arms are recorded
The Crowe arms were recorded in Carmarthen, c. 1586.
Carmarthenshire was south-west Welsh country of river valleys and hill farms. Land was held in a great many small estates, and each one brought its own claim to a coat of arms.
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 Wales in this period.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in Ireland when the Crowe arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Carmarthen.
Origin & History of the Crowe Family in Wales
The family name Crowe has deep roots in the landscape of Wales, particularly within the historic county of Carmarthenshire. By the late sixteenth century, the family had firmly established itself in the town of Carmarthen, where records confirm their presence by 1586. During this period, Carmarthen served as a vital hub for trade and local government, and families like the Crowes often played active roles in the social and economic life of the town. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname, perhaps highlighting a person’s dark hair or a sharp, observant nature. As the family settled into the Welsh countryside, they became integrated into the local community, living through a time when the region was transitioning toward more modern administrative systems. Their long-standing residence in Carmarthen suggests that they were part of the growing merchant or professional classes who helped shape the identity of the town during the Elizabethan era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fiach
An ancient Gaelic word referring to a raven or a hunter.
This name
CroweDerived from an Irish nickname for a person with dark hair or a predatory nature.
also spelled
Croe
Related arms
Crawevariant spelling
Croevariant spelling
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
O'Hart, John. Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation. 1892
National Archives of Ireland. Civil Survey, 1654–1656
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
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
