A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Delap family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9331 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. on a pile ar. an eagle displ. of the field”
DonegalMonellan · Donegal, c. 1645
Where the Delap Arms Were Recorded
Donegal
Map of Ireland showing where the Delap arms are recorded
The Delap arms were recorded in Donegal, c. 1645.
Donegal was remote north-western Irish country of mountain and coast. Its land was poor and its families few, but those who held ground held it for a very long time.
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 Delap 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 Donegal.
Origin & History of the Delap Family in Ireland
The Delap family name has a long and documented history in County Donegal, where members of the family were established by at least 1645. The name is believed to be of French origin, likely derived from the phrase "de la pe," which refers to someone who lived near a specific landmark or area. When these individuals arrived in Ireland, they integrated into the local society of the northwest, eventually becoming prominent landowners and figures in the region. Over the following centuries, the family became deeply connected to the social and economic life of Donegal, particularly around the areas of Letterkenny and Monellan. Their presence in these lands reflects the broader patterns of migration and settlement that shaped the history of Ulster during the seventeenth century. By maintaining their roots in the region for generations, the Delap family transitioned from newcomers to a well-known part of the Donegal community.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. an eagle displ. sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Delap Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Delap arms are recorded
The Delap arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Ireland when the Delap arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
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.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Delap Family in England
The family name Delap has roots that trace back to the northern regions of England, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the city of York by the year 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, serving as a vital hub for northern England. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the French term "de la pe," which translates to "of the foot" or "of the hill," suggesting that the family may have originally been identified by their connection to a specific landscape or geographic feature. As the family established themselves in York, they likely integrated into the local merchant or craft guilds that defined the city’s economy. By living in such a prominent urban center, the early Delaps would have been part of the social and economic shifts that defined the seventeenth century, moving from rural origins into the structured life of an English city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
de la Planch
Derived from the Old French term for a wooden plank or bridge.
This name
DelapAn Anglo-Norman habitational name indicating someone who lived near a wooden bridge or plank structure.
also spelled
Delappe
Related arms
Onslowrecorded with Delap, same area
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
Maguire, W.A. A Resident Landlord in His Town: Donegal, 1831–1839. 1992
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of County Donegal, 1654–1656
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, Delap Family Papers (T/3468)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
