A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Curley family of Ireland.
Reg. 8309 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Vert on a chev. or, three cinquefoils pierced gu”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Curley Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Curley arms are recorded
The Curley arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
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.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Curley 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 Curley Family in Ireland
The surname Curley is primarily of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Ó Comhraidhe. This name translates to a descendant of Comhraidhe, which suggests a lineage rooted in ancient Gaelic traditions. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Dublin. Historical records confirm that members of the Curley family were living in the city by 1645, a period marked by significant political and social upheaval in Ireland. During this time, families with the name were often associated with the midlands and western regions of the country, particularly County Roscommon and County Galway, before branching out into urban centers like Dublin. The movement of the family into the capital city reflects the broader patterns of migration and economic shifts that defined Irish life during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ó Corra
Descendant of the spear or pointed one.
This name
CurleyDerived from a Gaelic nickname meaning curly-headed or having a swarthy complexion.
also spelled
Curle
Curly
Related arms
Curlevariant 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
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cinquefoilHope and joy
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cinquefoilHope and joy
