A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Driscol family of Ireland.
Reg. 6890 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
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. a ship of three masts, sails set sa”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Driscol Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Driscol arms are recorded
The Driscol 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 Driscol 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 Driscol Family in Ireland
The family name O’Driscoll, often shortened to Driscoll, originates from the Gaelic name Ó hEidirsceoil, which translates to a descendant of the interpreter or mediator. The family was historically rooted in the coastal regions of West Cork, where they established themselves as a powerful maritime clan known for their seafaring skills and control over local harbors. By the mid-seventeenth century, the political landscape of Ireland shifted dramatically due to conflict and land redistribution. Records confirm that members of the family were present in Dublin by 1645, suggesting that some individuals had moved from their traditional rural strongholds to the capital city during this turbulent era. This migration likely reflected the broader movement of Irish families seeking new opportunities or safety within urban centers as the social structure of the country underwent significant changes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
O hEidirsceoil
Derived from the Gaelic words for interpreter or messenger.
This name
DriscolDescendant of the interpreter, historically associated with a seafaring clan from County Cork.
also spelled
Odriscol
Driscoll
Odriskol
Driscol
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation, 1892
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.
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
