A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dowley family of Ireland.
Reg. 2764 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. a buck's head cabossed bendways ar. attired or, betw. two bendlets of the last”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Dowley Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Dowley arms are recorded
The Dowley 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 Dowley 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 Dowley Family in Ireland
The family name Dowley has deep roots in Ireland, with historical evidence confirming that members of the family were established in Dublin by 1645. The name is generally considered to be an anglicized version of the Gaelic surname Ó Dubhlaoich, which translates to a descendant of the dark or black hero. During the seventeenth century, families with this name were often found in the southern and eastern regions of Ireland, where they lived as part of the local Gaelic social structure. As the political landscape of Ireland shifted during the mid-1600s, many families faced significant challenges due to land confiscations and social upheaval. Despite these difficulties, the presence of the Dowley name in Dublin records from this period suggests that the family was active in the urban life of the capital city during a time of great national change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dubh
An ancient Gaelic term meaning dark or black.
This name
DowleyDerived from a diminutive form of the Gaelic word for dark-haired or swarthy.
also spelled
Dowlie
Dowly
Dowlay
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.
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
