A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Duffie family of Ireland.
Reg. 2907 · 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 Duffie Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Duffie arms are recorded
The Duffie 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 Duffie 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 Duffie Family in Ireland
The surname Duffie is primarily rooted in the Gaelic tradition of Ireland, originating from the name Ó Dubhthaigh, which translates to descendant of the dark or black one. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Dublin, as evidenced by records from 1645. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political transition, and families like the Duffies were often integrated into the urban fabric as merchants, craftsmen, or local officials. As the name evolved from its original Irish form into its Anglicized version, it became a fixture in the social and economic life of the city. While the family name is deeply connected to the broader history of the Irish people, its specific documentation in Dublin during the 1640s highlights the family’s long-standing role in the capital’s development during a time of significant national change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dubh
An Old Irish word meaning dark or black.
This name
DuffieDerived from a diminutive form meaning little dark one or dark-complexioned person.
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
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
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
