A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Donelan family of Ireland.
Reg. 0261 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 oak tree eradicated vert”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Donelan Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Donelan arms are recorded
The Donelan 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 Donelan 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 Donelan Family in Ireland
The surname Donelan is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ó Domhnalláin, which translates to a descendant of Domhnallán. This personal name is a diminutive form of Domhnall, a traditional name meaning world ruler. The family originated in the province of Connacht, specifically in County Galway, where they were historically recognized as a learned and scholarly clan. By the mid-seventeenth century, members of the family had established a presence in Dublin, which was a time of great political upheaval in Ireland. As the family moved into urban centers like Dublin by 1645, they transitioned from their traditional rural roots into the professional and administrative life of the capital city. This shift reflects the broader movement of Irish families during the seventeenth century as they adapted to changing social and economic conditions.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Domhnall
Derived from the Proto-Celtic elements for world and mighty ruler.
This name
DonelanA patronymic surname signifying descendant of the world-ruler.
also spelled
Donolan
Related arms
Donnolanvariant spelling
O'Donellanvariant 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
O’Hart, John. Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation. 1892
National Archives of Ireland. Civil Survey of the County of Dublin. 1654–1656
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oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
