A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gainer family of Ireland.
Reg. 9958 · Irish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Per pale gu. and vert a lion saliant betw. three trefoils or”
LongfordLongford, c. 1666
Where the Gainer Arms Were Recorded
Longford
Map of Ireland showing where the Gainer arms are recorded
The Gainer arms were recorded in Longford, c. 1666.
Longford was small midland Irish country of bog and grazing. Its landed families were few but held their ground for centuries, and long holding fills a register.
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 II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Ireland when the Gainer 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 Longford.
Origin & History of the Gainer Family in Ireland
The Gainer family name has deep roots in Ireland, with clear historical evidence placing members of the family in County Longford by the year 1666. During this period, the name was often associated with families living in the Midlands, where they navigated the complex social and political changes following the Cromwellian settlement. The name itself is thought to be an anglicized version of older Gaelic surnames, likely evolving as families adapted to English administrative record-keeping. By the mid-seventeenth century, the Gainers were established as part of the local community, participating in the agricultural and social life of the region. Their presence in Longford records from this time suggests they were well-integrated into the local population, maintaining their identity through generations of change in the Irish landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gainer
Derived from the Old French word gainier meaning a farmer or plowman.
This name
GainerAn occupational surname for someone who worked as a farmer or agricultural laborer.
also spelled
Gainor
Gainer
Gayner
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Archives of Ireland, Hearth Money Rolls, County Longford, 1666
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
