A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Curtain family of Ireland.
Reg. 7146 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. a chev. az. on a chief gu. three crosses crosslet or”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Curtain Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Curtain arms are recorded
The Curtain 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 Curtain 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 Curtain Family in Ireland
The surname Curtain is primarily of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Mac Cárthainn, which translates to son of Cárthann. This name is deeply rooted in the history of County Cork and the surrounding Munster region, where the family was historically associated with the Eóganachta dynasty. By the mid-seventeenth century, members of the family had established a presence in Dublin, as evidenced by records from 1645. During this era, the family was navigating the significant political and social upheavals caused by the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. As the family moved from their traditional rural strongholds into the growing urban center of Dublin, they integrated into the city’s evolving administrative and commercial life. This transition reflects a broader pattern of Irish families adapting to the changing landscape of seventeenth-century Ireland while maintaining their ancestral identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac Cárthaigh
Son of the loving or affectionate one.
This name
CurtainAn anglicized Irish surname derived from a personal name signifying love or affection.
also spelled
Curtayne
Related arms
Curtaynevariant 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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
