A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ferell family of Ireland.
Reg. 0421 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
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)
“Ar. a leopard's head gu. jessant-de-lis or”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Ferell Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Ferell arms are recorded
The Ferell 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 Ferell 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 Ferell Family in Ireland
The family name Ferell is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ó Fearghail, which translates to man of valor. By the middle of the seventeenth century, members of this family were well-established in Dublin. During the year 1645, the city was a center of political tension as various factions vied for control during the Irish Confederate Wars. Families like the Ferells often navigated this difficult period by maintaining strong ties to their local community and trade networks. Because Dublin served as a primary port and administrative hub, the presence of the family there suggests they were likely involved in urban commerce or professional life. Over time, the spelling of the name shifted to its modern form as families adapted to the changing linguistic landscape of Ireland. This evolution reflects the broader history of Irish families who transitioned from traditional Gaelic structures into the evolving social systems of the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fearghal
Derived from the Gaelic elements for man and valor.
This name
FerellA surname signifying a courageous or heroic individual.
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, A.D. 1654-1656
Woulfe, Patrick. Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames. 1923
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
