Map of Ireland showing where the Gaffey arms are recorded
The Gaffey 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 Gaffey 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 Gaffey Family in Ireland
The surname Gaffey is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ó Gaibhtheach, which translates to a descendant of the brave or the fierce one. While the family name has deep roots in the western province of Connacht, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in Dublin by 1645. During this period, Dublin was a center of significant political and social upheaval, and families like the Gaffeys often moved from rural areas to the capital to participate in the city's growing trade and administrative life. Because the name originated from a descriptive nickname, it suggests that the early ancestors were recognized for their strength or bold character. Over the following centuries, the family continued to integrate into the urban fabric of Ireland, transitioning from their traditional Gaelic origins into the evolving society of the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ó Gafraidh
Descendant of Gafraidh, an Irish form of the name Godfrey.
This name
GaffeyDerived from the Old Norse name Gudfrid, meaning peace of God.
also spelled
Gafte
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
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin. 1654
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cinquefoilHope and joy
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cinquefoilHope and joy
