A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Galbraith family of Ireland.
Reg. 4604 · Irish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Per pale az. and gu. a trefoil slipped ar. betw. three bears' heads erased or”
DonegalDonegal, c. 1813
Where the Galbraith Arms Were Recorded
Donegal
Map of Ireland showing where the Galbraith arms are recorded
The Galbraith arms were recorded in Donegal, c. 1813.
Donegal was remote north-western Irish country of mountain and coast. Its land was poor and its families few, but those who held ground held it for a very long time.
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.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1801–1820
Reigning in Ireland when the Galbraith 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 Donegal.
Origin & History of the Galbraith Family in Ireland
The surname Galbraith has deep roots that stretch back to the ancient kingdoms of Scotland and Ireland. The name itself comes from the Gaelic phrase *Gall-Bhreatann*, which literally translates to "foreign Briton." This term was used by the Gaelic-speaking people to describe the Britons who lived in the Kingdom of Strathclyde in what is now southwestern Scotland. Over many generations, members of the family migrated across the sea to the northern regions of Ireland. By the year 1813, historical records confirm that the Galbraith family had established a firm presence in County Donegal. During this period, families in Donegal were often involved in local agriculture and trade, helping to shape the rural landscape of the province of Ulster. The movement of the family from the Scottish lowlands to the Irish coast reflects the long history of migration and cultural exchange that defined the British Isles for centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gall-Breatnach
Foreign Briton or stranger from the land of the Britons.
This name
GalbraithRefers to a person of Scottish or Welsh origin who settled in Ireland.
also spelled
Galbreath
Galbrath
Related arms
Calbreathvariant spelling
Galbreathvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
National Archives of Ireland, Tithe Applotment Books, 1823–1837
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
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
