A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dea family of Ireland.
Reg. 3213 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. two serpents embowed in chief sa. and in base an arm couped below the wrist, lying fesse-ways, habited gu. cuff dancettée of the first, holding in the hand ppr. a broken sword of the last, hilt and pomel or”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Dea Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Dea arms are recorded
The Dea 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 Dea 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 Dea Family in Ireland
The family name Dea has deep roots in Ireland, with historical records confirming the presence of family members in Dublin as early as 1645. During the seventeenth century, Dublin served as a bustling center of trade and political activity, which likely drew families from the surrounding countryside into the city. The name itself is often linked to the Irish language, potentially originating as an anglicized version of names like Ó Deá or related Gaelic terms. As the family established themselves in the capital, they became part of the complex social fabric of a city undergoing significant change. By settling in Dublin during this era, the early members of the Dea family navigated a period of intense historical transition, leaving behind traces in official documents that allow us to connect their presence to the city's long and storied past.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dia
The Gaelic word for God or a divine being.
This name
DeaAn Irish surname derived from a term for a god or divine person.
also spelled
Dee
Deay
Dease
Related arms
Deevariant 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
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
