A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gainor family of Ireland.
Reg. 0609 · 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 Gainor Arms Were Recorded
Longford
Map of Ireland showing where the Gainor arms are recorded
The Gainor 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 Gainor 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 Gainor Family in Ireland
The family name Gainor is primarily rooted in the Gaelic tradition of Ireland, where it evolved from the older surname Mag Fhionnchair. This name translates to mean the son of the fair-headed one, suggesting that early ancestors were identified by their physical appearance. By the year 1666, historical records confirm that members of the Gainor family were well-established in County Longford. During this period, the family lived through a time of significant social and political transition in Ireland following the Cromwellian conquest. As the family settled into the landscape of the Irish Midlands, they became part of the local community structure that defined life in Longford for generations. Their presence in the hearth money rolls of the mid-17th century serves as a clear link between the family and their early geographical origins.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gafraidh
Old Irish name derived from elements meaning peace and territory.
This name
GainorAn anglicized form of the Gaelic surname meaning descendant of the peaceful ruler.
also spelled
Gainor
Gainer
Gayner
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, Hearth Money Rolls, County Longford, 1666
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
