A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dobbin family of Ireland.
Reg. 2292 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
flaunchesA reward for virtue and learning
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. five mullets of six points, two, one, and two or, in the centre chief point a crescent of the last betw. two flaunches chequy ar. and sa”
DublinDublin, c. 1645
Where the Dobbin Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Dobbin arms are recorded
The Dobbin arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1645.
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 Dobbin 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 Dublin.
Origin & History of the Dobbin Family in Ireland
The family name Dobbin is a diminutive form of the name Robert, evolving through the medieval practice of adding the suffix "in" to common given names. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Dublin, where records confirm their residence by 1645. During this period, the Dobbins were often integrated into the merchant classes of the city, participating in the urban growth and trade networks that defined Dublin at the time. As the family settled into the social fabric of the capital, they became part of the local administrative and economic life. Their history reflects the broader movement of families who transitioned from rural roots to becoming established figures within the developing infrastructure of Ireland’s major cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Robert
A Germanic name meaning bright fame or renowned glory.
This name
DobbinA medieval diminutive form of Robert, often used as a pet name for the given name.
also spelled
Dobben
Dobbyn
Dobbynne
Dobins
Dobyns
Related arms
Dobbynvariant spelling
Dobinsvariant spelling
Dobynsvariant 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, A.D. 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.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
flaunchesA reward for virtue and learning
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
flaunchesA reward for virtue and learning
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
