A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Garvey family of Ireland.
Reg. 6868 · Irish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Erm. two chevronels betw. three crosses pattée gu”
DownAughnagonn · Down, c. 1760
Where the Garvey Arms Were Recorded
Down
Map of Ireland showing where the Garvey arms are recorded
The Garvey arms were recorded in Down, c. 1760.
Down was north-eastern Irish country settled from Scotland in the seventeenth century. The new landowners took grants and had them recorded, which is why so many Down families carry documented shields.
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 II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Ireland when the Garvey 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 Down.
Origin & History of the Garvey Family in Ireland
The surname Garvey originates from the Irish Gaelic name Ó Gairbhith, which translates to a descendant of the rough or brave one. While the family name is deeply rooted in the history of County Mayo and the western regions of Ireland, members of the Garvey family were firmly established in County Down by 1760. During this period, families in the northern regions of Ireland often moved due to changing agricultural practices and the influence of local land ownership patterns. As the family settled in Down, they became part of the local community fabric, likely working as farmers or tradespeople during a time of significant social and economic transition in Ulster. These early ancestors helped shape the presence of the name in the region, establishing a legacy that persisted long after the mid-eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Garbh
An Irish Gaelic adjective meaning rough or coarse.
This name
GarveyDerived from a descriptor for a person with a rough or fierce temperament.
also spelled
Garvie
Garvy
Garveyne
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
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. Freeholders' Records for County Down. 1760
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
