A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fitz-Allen family of Ireland.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Barry of eight or and gu”
The Fitz-Allen 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.
Reigning in Ireland when the Fitz-Allen arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Fitz-Allen follows a naming tradition that originated in medieval times, where the prefix "Fitz" was used to denote "son of." In this case, the name identifies the bearer as the son of Allen, a common given name of Breton or Germanic origin. By the year 1645, records confirm that members of the Fitz-Allen family were established in Dublin. During this period, Dublin was a central hub for trade and administration, and families with this name were often involved in the city’s growing merchant class or local governance. As the seventeenth century progressed, the family became part of the complex social fabric of Ireland, navigating the political shifts and urban expansion that defined the city at that time. Their presence in the capital suggests they were well-integrated into the local community and played a role in the daily life of the city during a time of significant historical change.
A Germanic name meaning precious or handsome.
