A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Davitt family of Wales.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ar. an inescutcheon gu. within a double tressure flory counter-flory of the second”
The Davitt arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding 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.
Reigning in Wales when the Davitt arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Davitt has deep roots that connect to the movement of people across the British Isles. While the name is often associated with Irish heritage, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the town of Denbigh, Wales, by 1647. During this period, Denbigh served as a significant market town and a center for local administration following the turbulent years of the English Civil War. Families living in this region during the mid-seventeenth century were often involved in trade or agriculture, navigating a society that was rapidly changing due to political instability. The presence of the Davitt name in Denbigh suggests that the family was part of the local social fabric during a time when surnames were becoming more fixed in official parish and tax records. By settling in this Welsh stronghold, these early ancestors helped establish a lasting presence for the name in the region.
A Welsh form of the Hebrew name David meaning beloved.
