A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Foord family of Ireland.
Reg. 0116 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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. three lions ramp. crowned or”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Foord Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Foord arms are recorded
The Foord 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 Foord 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 Foord Family in Ireland
The surname Foord is a topographical name that originally described someone who lived near a shallow place in a river where people could cross on foot. By the time the family was firmly established in Dublin in 1645, the name had evolved from its Old English roots to become a recognized identifier for families living in urban centers. During the mid-seventeenth century, Dublin was a bustling hub of trade and political change, and those bearing the name Foord were often involved in the professional and mercantile life of the city. As the family settled into Irish society, they integrated into the local community while maintaining the linguistic legacy of their ancestors. This transition from a descriptive label for a landscape feature to a formal family name reflects the broader movement of people across the British Isles during this era of significant historical transformation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
ford
A shallow place in a river where one can cross.
This name
FoordA topographical surname denoting someone who lived near a river crossing.
also spelled
Forde
Related arms
Fordevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
