A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Duffey family of Ireland.
Reg. 5922 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Sa. on a pale erm. three crescents gu”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Duffey Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Duffey arms are recorded
The Duffey 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 Duffey 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 Duffey Family in Ireland
The surname Duffey originates from the Irish Gaelic name Ó Dubhthaigh, which translates to descendant of the dark or black-haired one. This name was historically associated with several distinct clans across Ireland, particularly in regions like Monaghan, Galway, and Donegal. By the mid-seventeenth century, members of the family were firmly established in Dublin, a period marked by significant political and social upheaval in Ireland. During the 1640s, Dublin served as a central hub for shifting power dynamics, and families like the Duffeys were often involved in the urban life of the city as it navigated the conflicts of the era. Over time, the name evolved from its original Gaelic form into various spellings, including Duffey, Duffy, and O’Duffy, as it adapted to the changing linguistic landscape of the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dubh
An Old Irish word meaning black or dark-colored.
This name
DuffeyDerived from a descriptor for a person with dark hair or a dark complexion.
also spelled
Duffey
Duffie
Duffay
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, 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.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
