A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fitz-Morris family of Ireland.
Reg. 4455 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. on a saltire engr. ar. an inescutcheon or, charged with a cross gu”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Fitz-Morris Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Fitz-Morris arms are recorded
The Fitz-Morris 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-Morris 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-Morris Family in Ireland
The surname Fitz-Morris is a classic example of a patronymic name, which means it was created to identify a person as the son of someone named Maurice. The prefix "Fitz" comes from the Old French word for son and was introduced to Ireland following the arrival of the Normans in the twelfth century. While the name has deep roots in the broader history of the Anglo-Norman settlement, members of the family were firmly established in Dublin by 1645. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political activity, and families with this name were often involved in the city's civic and professional life. As the seventeenth century progressed, the family name became increasingly integrated into the social fabric of the Irish capital, reflecting the complex blend of Norman and local traditions that defined the region at the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mauritius
Derived from the Latin word for a person from Mauretania or dark-skinned.
This name
Fitz-MorrisAn Anglo-Norman surname meaning the son of Maurice, indicating descent from a person named Maurice.
also spelled
Fitzmorrys
Fitzmorres
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 the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
