A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Drysdale family of Ireland.
Reg. 8483 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Erm. a saltire sa. on a chief az. three etoiles or”
IrelandArchdeacon, c. 1684
Where the Drysdale Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Drysdale arms are recorded
The Drysdale arms were recorded in Archdeacon, c. 1684.
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 II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Ireland when the Drysdale 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 Drysdale Family in Ireland
The surname Drysdale originates from the Scottish Lowlands, specifically taking its name from the parish of Dryfesdale in Dumfriesshire. The name is derived from the Old Norse word for a dry valley, combined with the Old English word for a dale or valley. While the family has deep roots in Scotland, records confirm that members of the Drysdale family were established in Dublin by 1684. During this period, many families moved between Scotland and Ireland due to trade connections and shifting political landscapes. These early settlers in Dublin often integrated into the local merchant and professional classes, helping to establish the name within the city’s growing urban community. This migration pattern reflects the broader movement of people across the Irish Sea during the seventeenth century as families sought new opportunities in expanding administrative and commercial centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Drys-dale
Derived from Old Norse drys meaning dry and dalr meaning valley.
This name
DrysdaleRefers to a person who lived in or near a dry, barren valley.
also spelled
Drysdale
Drisdall
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
National Archives of Ireland. Prerogative and Diocesan Wills, 1596–1858
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
