A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Draffen family of Ireland.
Reg. 3867 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. a fleur-de-lis or, betw. two lions ramp. ar. on a chief of the third three mullets gu”
DublinHyde Park · Dublin, c. 1645
Where the Draffen Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Draffen arms are recorded
The Draffen 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 Draffen 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 Draffen Family in Ireland
The surname Draffen is rooted in the complex history of seventeenth-century Ireland, with documented evidence placing family members in Dublin as early as 1645. During this period, Dublin was a central hub for trade and administration, attracting families from various backgrounds who sought opportunities in the growing urban center. The name likely evolved from regional dialects or topographical descriptions common in the British Isles, reflecting how surnames were frequently adapted as families moved across borders. By establishing themselves in the capital during the mid-1600s, the early Draffens became part of the city's shifting social landscape during a time of significant political transition. Their presence in official records from this era suggests they were integrated into the civic and economic life of Dublin, helping to anchor the family name in Irish history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ó Draighneáin
Derived from the Irish word for blackthorn or bramble.
This name
DraffenA locational or descriptive surname referring to a descendant of one associated with thorny thickets.
also spelled
Draffin
Drafin
Related arms
Beaumanrecorded with Draffen, same area
D'Arcyrecorded with Draffen, same area
Dennyrecorded with Draffen, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Archives of Ireland, Calendar of the State Papers Relating to Ireland, 1633–1647 (1901)
Simington, Robert C., The Civil Survey, A.D. 1654–1656: County of Dublin (1945)
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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
