A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grehan family of Ireland.
Reg. 9542 · Irish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 tree growing out of the base vert, betw. two daggers paleways in base ppr”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Grehan Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Grehan arms are recorded
The Grehan 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 Grehan 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 Grehan Family in Ireland
The family name Grehan is rooted in the Gaelic tradition of Ireland, specifically originating from the Irish surname Ó Greacháin. Historically, this name is most strongly associated with the province of Connacht, though members of the family established a notable presence in Dublin by 1645. During the seventeenth century, Dublin served as a center for political and social transition, and the presence of the Grehan family there suggests they were part of the urban migration that brought rural Gaelic families into the capital. As the name evolved over time, it shifted from its original Irish form into the Anglicized version used today. The family likely navigated the complex social changes of the era by maintaining their identity while adapting to the growing influence of English administration in the city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Greachán
Derived from the Irish word for a small, sun-scorched or dry place.
This name
GrehanA surname originating from County Galway, signifying a descendant of a person from a dry location.
also spelled
Greahan
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
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
swordJustice, and military honour
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
swordJustice, and military honour
