Map of Ireland showing where the Cusick arms are recorded
The Cusick arms were recorded in Meath, c. 1645.
Meath was the best farmland in Ireland and the old seat of its high kings. Norman families took it early and held it, and land of that quality kept the same families on it for centuries.
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 Cusick 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 Meath.
Origin & History of the Cusick Family in Ireland
The surname Cusick is primarily associated with the Gaelic tradition of Ireland, specifically tracing its roots to the ancient kingdom of Meath. By the mid-seventeenth century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this region, a time marked by significant political upheaval and land redistribution. The name is believed to be an anglicized version of the Irish Gaelic name *Ó Coscaig*, which suggests a lineage rooted in the local population long before the arrival of outside influences. Historically, families like the Cusicks in Meath were often part of the local social fabric, living as farmers or landholders who maintained deep ties to their ancestral territory. Their presence in 1645 highlights a long-standing connection to the landscape of eastern Ireland, where they navigated the complex shifts in Irish history while preserving their distinct family identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac Uiseog
Son of the lark
This name
CusickDerived from a Gaelic nickname referring to a person resembling a lark.
also spelled
Cusake
Cusac
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 County Meath, 1654–1656
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
