Map of England showing where the Downey arms are recorded
The Downey arms were recorded in Leicester, c. 1619.
Leicestershire was grazing country, and wool and cattle made steady money rather than spectacular fortunes. Steady money bought manors, and manors are what brought families into the registers.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Downey arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Leicester.
Origin & History of the Downey Family in England
The family name Downey has deep roots that trace back to the Gaelic tradition of Ireland, where it originated as a variation of the name O’Dunne. The name is derived from the word "donn," which means dark or brown, and it was likely used as a descriptive nickname for an ancestor with a dark complexion or hair. While many families with this name remained in Ireland for centuries, others migrated across the sea to England during periods of trade and social movement. By the year 1619, records confirm that members of the Downey family were well-established residents of Leicester. During this era, families in Leicester were often involved in the local wool and textile trades, which were the primary drivers of the city's economy. These early settlers helped shape the local community, living and working in a region that was rapidly changing during the early seventeenth century.
Downey Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Dunadhach
Derived from the Gaelic word for a fort or stronghold.
This name
DowneyAn anglicized form of the Irish name O'Dunadhaigh, meaning descendant of the fort defender.
also spelled
Doun
Doune
Downs
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
Leicestershire Record Office. Leicester Borough Records: Hall Papers. 1619
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
