Map of Ireland showing where the Glenn arms are recorded
The Glenn 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 Glenn 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 Glenn Family in Ireland
The surname Glenn originates from the Gaelic word gleann, which translates to a narrow valley. It was traditionally used as a topographic name to describe families who lived near or within these geographical features. By the mid-seventeenth century, the name was firmly established in Ireland, with records confirming that members of the family were living in Dublin by 1645. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political activity, and families like the Glenns were often integrated into the urban professional or merchant classes. As the name spread, it became associated with both Irish and Scottish lineages, reflecting the close historical ties and migration patterns between the two regions. Over time, the name evolved from a simple description of a person’s home into a permanent family identity that was passed down through generations.
Glenn Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Gleann
A valley or a narrow depression between hills.
This name
GlennDerived from the Gaelic word for a valley, often denoting someone who lived in or near one.
also spelled
Glyn
Glynn
Glene
Related arms
Glenevariant spelling
Glynvariant 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, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
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masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
