A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gales family of Ireland.
Reg. 2565 · Irish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. a fesse betw. two chev. or”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Gales Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Gales arms are recorded
The Gales 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 Gales 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 Gales Family in Ireland
The surname Gales has roots that stretch back to the turbulent landscape of seventeenth-century Ireland. By 1645, records confirm that members of the family were established in Dublin, a city then caught in the middle of the Irish Confederate Wars. During this period, the name was likely associated with individuals who navigated the complex social and political shifts of the time. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older occupational or descriptive terms, possibly linked to those who lived near specific geographic features or worked in trades common to the bustling port city. As the family settled into the urban environment of Dublin, they became part of a growing merchant and artisan class that helped shape the city’s development throughout the late seventeenth century. Their presence in the capital during such a pivotal era suggests that the family was well-integrated into the local community and played a role in the daily life of the city as it evolved under changing administrations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gall
An Old Irish term referring to a foreigner or stranger.
This name
GalesA surname of Irish origin denoting someone who was a foreigner or a stranger.
also spelled
Gaile
Gayle
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, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
Royal Irish Academy, A New History of Ireland, Volume III: Early Modern Ireland 1534–1691, 1976
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
