A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Falls family of Ireland.
Reg. 8216 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ar. a chev. betw. three mullets sa. in base an anchor reversed, fluke az. the stock sa. the bar ppr. hooped and ringed or”
DublinDublin, c. 1645
Where the Falls Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Falls arms are recorded
The Falls arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1645.
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 Falls 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 Dublin.
Origin & History of the Falls Family in Ireland
The surname Falls is a topographic name, meaning it was originally used to describe someone who lived near a waterfall or a series of cascades. While the name has roots in various parts of the British Isles, its presence in Dublin by 1645 suggests that the family was part of the shifting social landscape of seventeenth-century Ireland. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political activity, attracting people from across the region who sought new opportunities in the city. Families with this name likely integrated into the urban life of the capital, working as merchants, craftsmen, or laborers. Over time, the name became firmly established within the local community, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and settlement that defined the history of the city during the mid-seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Falla
Old Norse term for a wall or a cliff edge.
This name
FallsA topographic name for someone who lived near a steep slope or cliff.
also spelled
Falle
Related arms
Fallevariant spelling
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 1654-1656
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
