A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gracey family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8249 · Irish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 lion ramp. per fesse ar. and or”
KilkennyBarons · Kilkenny, c. 1645
Where the Gracey Arms Were Recorded
Kilkenny
Map of Ireland showing where the Gracey arms are recorded
The Gracey arms were recorded in Kilkenny, c. 1645.
Kilkenny was rich farming country in south-eastern Ireland, held by Norman families who settled early and stayed. Long holding of good land is exactly what puts a name into the heraldic records.
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 Gracey 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 Kilkenny.
Origin & History of the Gracey Family in Ireland
The Gracey family name has deep roots in the Irish landscape, with historical records confirming their presence in County Kilkenny by 1645. During this period, the family lived through a time of great political and social upheaval as Ireland faced the consequences of the Cromwellian conquest. The name itself is often linked to the Gaelic tradition, likely evolving from an anglicized version of a native Irish surname or serving as a descriptive nickname that became hereditary over generations. By settling in the fertile lands of Kilkenny, the early members of the family became part of a complex social structure defined by land ownership and local community ties. As the seventeenth century progressed, the Gracey family navigated the shifting loyalties and legal changes that defined life in Ireland, establishing a lasting presence in the region that would persist for centuries.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. semée of cinquefoils, a lion ramp. ar”
EnglandLondon, c. 1620
Where the Gracey Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Gracey arms are recorded
The Gracey arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Ireland when the Gracey arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Gracey Family in England
The surname Gracey has roots that trace back to the bustling environment of seventeenth-century London. By 1620, families bearing this name were already established within the city, living during a period of rapid social and economic change. The name itself likely evolved as a descriptive term or a nickname, possibly derived from the Middle English word for grace, which suggested a person of pleasant character or refined manners. As London grew into a global center for trade and industry, the Gracey family became part of the urban fabric, navigating the challenges of a city recovering from the plague and preparing for the political shifts of the coming decades. Their presence in the capital during this era suggests they were part of the rising class of citizens who helped shape the administrative and commercial life of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gráinne
Derived from the Irish word for grain or corn.
This name
GraceyA diminutive form indicating a descendant of the beloved or graceful one.
also spelled
Grase
Gracce
Gracie
Gracey
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
O'Hart, John. Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation. 1892
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of County Kilkenny. 1654
National Library of Ireland, Genealogical Office Manuscripts
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cinquefoilHope and joy
