A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dunphy family of Ireland.
Reg. 8177 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
foxWit and wisdom in defence
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Vert two foxes combatant ar. in base a mullet or, on a chief of the last an antique Irish crown gu”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Dunphy Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Dunphy arms are recorded
The Dunphy 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 Dunphy 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 Dunphy Family in Ireland
The surname Dunphy is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ó Donnchú, which translates to descendant of Donnchú. This name was historically associated with the region of Ossory, located in modern-day County Kilkenny and County Laois. By the middle of the seventeenth century, members of the family had established a notable presence in Dublin. During this period, the city was a center of significant political and social upheaval, and families like the Dunphys were often involved in the urban trade and administrative life of the capital. As the name moved from its rural roots into the bustling environment of Dublin by 1645, it began to adapt to the changing linguistic landscape of Ireland. This transition reflects a broader historical trend where many traditional Gaelic families integrated into the growing administrative and commercial networks of the city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Donnchadh
Derived from the Gaelic words for brown and warrior or chief.
This name
DunphyA surname signifying a descendant of the brown-haired warrior or chieftain.
also spelled
Dunphey
Dunphie
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
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.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
foxWit and wisdom in defence
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
foxWit and wisdom in defence
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
