A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Finnan family of Ireland.
Reg. 5806 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. three mullets pierced or”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Finnan Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Finnan arms are recorded
The Finnan 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 Finnan 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 Finnan Family in Ireland
The surname Finnan is rooted in the ancient Gaelic language of Ireland, where it evolved from the name Fionnán. This name is a diminutive form of the word fionn, which translates to fair or white, often suggesting that an early ancestor had light hair or a fair complexion. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family was firmly established in the city of Dublin. Records from 1645 confirm their presence in the capital during a time of great political upheaval in Ireland. During this era, families with this name were part of the urban population navigating the complex social and religious changes occurring within the city walls. Over time, the name spread from its early strongholds into various regions, maintaining its connection to its linguistic origins while adapting to the shifting history of the Irish people.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fionn
An ancient Gaelic term meaning fair, white, or bright.
This name
FinnanA diminutive form representing a fair-headed or light-skinned person.
also spelled
Fynnan
Fynnane
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
National Archives of Ireland. Civil Survey, A.D. 1654-1656
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
