A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Denn family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0933 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. three wings or, on a chief ar. a griffin segreant holding a harp gu”
GalwayJuliana · Galway, c. 1612
Where the Denn Arms Were Recorded
Galway
Map of Ireland showing where the Denn arms are recorded
The Denn arms were recorded in Galway, c. 1612.
Galway was western Irish country of poor land and a rich port. A small group of merchant families ran the town for centuries and held estates around it, and both kinds of property 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 Ireland in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Ireland when the Denn 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 Galway.
Origin & History of the Denn Family in Ireland
The family name Denn has deep roots in the western landscape of Ireland, with historical documentation confirming their presence in County Galway as early as 1612. During this period, the name was often associated with families living in the province of Connacht, where they navigated the complex social and political shifts of the seventeenth century. While the name is sometimes linked to older Gaelic origins, its appearance in Galway records suggests that the family was well-integrated into the local community during a time of significant transition for Irish landholding and governance. Members of the Denn family likely worked as farmers or tradespeople, contributing to the local economy of the region while maintaining their identity through generations. By settling in the west of Ireland, they became part of the enduring cultural fabric of Galway, leaving behind a legacy that persists in the regional history of the area.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Erm. on a bend sa. three mullets or”
SussexEversfield · Sussex, c. 1620
Where the Denn Arms Were Recorded
Sussex
Map of England showing where the Denn arms are recorded
The Denn arms were recorded in Sussex, c. 1620.
Sussex had ironworks in its woods and good farmland on its downs. Both made money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names in the heraldic records.
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 Denn 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 Sussex.
Origin & History of the Denn Family in England
The family name Denn has deep roots in the English county of Sussex, where it emerged as a localized surname during the Middle Ages. In the Old English language, the word denn referred to a woodland pasture or a sheltered valley used for grazing swine. Families who lived near these specific clearings often adopted the name to identify their place of residence. By the early 17th century, the Denn family was well-established in the Sussex landscape, with records confirming their presence in the region by 1620. During this era, members of the family were typically involved in agrarian life, working the land and contributing to the local economy of the Weald. As the population grew and moved, the name spread from these rural woodland origins to become a permanent part of the English naming tradition.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dionysius
Derived from the Greek god of wine and fertility.
This name
DennAn anglicized form of the Gaelic name O'Duinn, meaning descendant of the brown-haired one.
also spelled
Dene
Related arms
Denevariant spelling
Manningrecorded with Denn, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Hardiman, James, A History of the Town and County of the Town of Galway, 1820
National Archives of Ireland, Inquisitionum in Officio Rotulorum Cancellariae Hiberniae Asservatarum, 1826
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
