Map of Ireland showing where the Fallen arms are recorded
The Fallen arms were recorded in Roscommon, c. 1645.
Roscommon was midland Irish grazing country, held by old Irish families before the plantations and by settlers after. Both sorts held land, and holding land is what brought arms.
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 Fallen 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 Roscommon.
Origin & History of the Fallen Family in Ireland
The family name Fallen finds its historical roots in the rugged landscape of County Roscommon, Ireland, where members of the family were firmly established by the year 1645. The name is widely considered an anglicized version of the Gaelic surname Ó Fallamháin, which translates to a descendant of Fallamhan. In the Irish language, this personal name is often linked to the word for a leader or a ruler. During the seventeenth century, families in this region lived through a time of great political upheaval and land redistribution. Despite these challenges, the family maintained a presence in the west of Ireland, preserving their connection to the local community and their ancestral heritage. By studying the records of this era, historians can see how the family navigated the social shifts of the time while keeping their identity tied to their Roscommon origins.
Fallen Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Fallon
Derived from the Gaelic word fallamhan meaning a leader or ruler.
This name
FallenAn anglicized form of the Irish surname O Fallamhain, signifying a descendant of the leader.
also spelled
Falon
Fallen
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
O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation, 1892
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of 1654-1656
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greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
