A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Garry family of Ireland.
Reg. 0445 · Irish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Ar. a lion ramp. betw. four trefoils slipped vert, in chief a lizard pass. of the last”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Garry Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Garry arms are recorded
The Garry 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 Garry 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 Garry Family in Ireland
The family name Garry has deep roots in Ireland, with historical records confirming the presence of family members in Dublin as early as 1645. The name is widely considered to be an anglicized version of the Gaelic surname Ó Gadhra. This original Gaelic form translates to a descendant of Gadhra, a personal name that likely meant mastiff or hound. During the seventeenth century, many Irish families began to adapt their traditional names to fit English spelling and pronunciation patterns. By the time the family was established in Dublin, they were part of a complex social landscape shaped by shifting political power and urban growth. As the city expanded into a major center of trade and administration, families like the Garrys became integrated into the local economy and community life. Their presence in the capital during this era suggests they were part of the evolving middle class that helped define the city during a period of significant historical transition.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gara
Derived from the Irish word for a spear or sharp point.
This name
GarryA surname signifying a descendant of the spear-wielder or sharp-featured person.
also spelled
McGarry
Garry
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
Woulfe, Patrick. Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames. 1923
National Archives of Ireland. Civil Survey, 1654–1656
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