Map of Ireland showing where the Gorman arms are recorded
The Gorman 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 Gorman 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 Gorman Family in Ireland
The surname Gorman originates from the Irish Gaelic name Mac Gormáin, which translates to "son of the dark or swarthy one." Historically, the family was deeply rooted in the province of Ulster, particularly in County Monaghan, where they served as hereditary keepers of the bell of Saint Patrick. By the mid-seventeenth century, members of the family had established a notable presence in Dublin. This period was a time of significant political upheaval in Ireland, and the family’s relocation to the capital city likely reflected the broader movement of Irish clans into urban centers during the mid-1600s. As the family integrated into Dublin society, they transitioned from their traditional roles in rural Gaelic life to becoming part of the evolving administrative and social landscape of the city.
Gorman Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mac Gormáin
Derived from the Old Irish word gorm meaning blue or noble.
This name
GormanDescendant of the blue or noble one, often associated with a dark or swarthy complexion.
also spelled
Gormon
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 of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
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eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
