A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fitz-Eustace family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8609 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Two coats, 1st, barry of six or and az.; 2nd, gu. a saltire or”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Fitz-Eustace Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Fitz-Eustace arms are recorded
The Fitz-Eustace 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 Fitz-Eustace 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 Fitz-Eustace Family in Ireland
The Fitz-Eustace family name emerged as a significant marker of Anglo-Norman influence in Ireland following the arrival of settlers from the continent. While the prefix Fitz indicates a son of a specific ancestor, the name Eustace became deeply rooted in the social and political landscape of the Pale, which was the area around Dublin under English control. By the middle of the seventeenth century, the family had firmly established itself within the capital city. Historical records confirm their presence in Dublin by 1645, a time when the family was navigating the complex religious and political shifts of the Irish Confederate Wars. During this era, members of the family often served in administrative or military roles, helping to manage the local affairs of the city while maintaining their standing among the landed classes. Their history reflects the broader transition of families who moved from being foreign settlers to becoming an integral part of the Irish urban community.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. a bend ar. betw. six crosses crosslet or”
LeicesterLeicester, c. 1620
Where the Fitz-Eustace Arms Were Recorded
Leicester
Map of England showing where the Fitz-Eustace arms are recorded
The Fitz-Eustace arms were recorded in Leicester, c. 1620.
Leicestershire was grazing country, and wool and cattle made steady money rather than spectacular fortunes. Steady money bought manors, and manors are what brought families into the registers.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Ireland when the Fitz-Eustace arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Leicester.
Origin & History of the Fitz-Eustace Family in England
The surname Fitz-Eustace carries a linguistic history that reflects the complex social changes of medieval England. The prefix "Fitz" originates from the Old French word "fils," which means son, and it was commonly used by the Norman nobility to denote lineage. When combined with the personal name Eustace, which traces back to the Greek name Eustachius, it identifies the family as descendants of an early patriarch named Eustace. While the family name has roots in the Norman period, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in Leicester by 1620. During this era, families with such names were often involved in the local trade and civic life of growing English market towns. The transition from a descriptive name based on a father’s identity to a fixed hereditary surname illustrates how families integrated into the evolving social structure of the English Midlands over several centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eustachius
Derived from the Greek word for fruitful or productive.
This name
Fitz-EustaceRefers to the son of Eustace, a name introduced to Ireland by Anglo-Norman settlers.
also spelled
Fitzeustas
Fitzeustase
Fitzeustis
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Curtis, Edmund, A History of Medieval Ireland, 1938
Moody, T.W., Martin, F.X., and Byrne, F.J., A New History of Ireland, Volume III: Early Modern Ireland 1534–1691, 1976
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
