A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Donnell family of Ireland.
Reg. 6935 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
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. two lions respecting each other sa. supporting a sinister hand gu. betw. three mullets of the second”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Donnell Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Donnell arms are recorded
The Donnell 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 Donnell 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 Donnell Family in Ireland
The family name Donnell is a variation of the Gaelic name Domhnaill, which translates to world-mighty or ruler of the world. By the mid-seventeenth century, members of the family were well-established in Dublin, a period marked by significant political and social upheaval in Ireland. During the 1640s, the city served as a central hub for trade and administration, placing families like the Donnells at the heart of Irish urban life. As the name evolved from its ancient roots, it became a common fixture in the records of the capital, reflecting the broader migration of families from rural regions into the growing city. This transition highlights the family's ability to adapt to the changing landscape of seventeenth-century Ireland while maintaining a link to their ancestral linguistic heritage.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Domhnall
Derived from the Proto-Celtic elements for world and mighty ruler.
This name
DonnellA name signifying a world ruler or a mighty leader of the world.
also spelled
Donnill
Donnall
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
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
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.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
