Map of Ireland showing where the Dexter arms are recorded
The Dexter 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 Dexter 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 Dexter Family in Ireland
The surname Dexter is rooted in the Latin word dexter, which translates to right or skillful. Historically, this name was often used as an occupational title for a dyer, as the word evolved from the Old English term deagstre. By the mid-seventeenth century, the name had established a firm presence in Ireland, particularly within the city of Dublin. Records from 1645 show members of the Dexter family living and working in this urban center during a time of significant political and social change. These early settlers were part of the complex migration patterns that defined seventeenth-century Ireland, where families often moved between England and the Irish capital to pursue trade and administrative opportunities. Over time, the name became a permanent fixture in the region, reflecting the blend of linguistic history and the practical movement of people across the Irish Sea.
Dexter Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Dexter
Latin word meaning on the right side or fortunate.
This name
DexterAn occupational surname for a dyer of cloth or one who is right-handed.
also spelled
Dextar
Dextare
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
