A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Haffey family of England.
Reg. 1725 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 lion ramp. gu. on a chief az. two crosses pattée or”
ArmaghArmagh, c. 1620
Where the Haffey Arms Were Recorded
Map of England showing where the Haffey arms are recorded
The Haffey arms were recorded in Armagh, c. 1620.
Armagh was the church capital of Ireland with good farmland around it. Church office and landholding both brought standing, and standing was marked with arms.
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 England when the Haffey 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 Armagh.
Origin & History of the Haffey Family in England
The family name Haffey is deeply rooted in the history of County Armagh, Ireland, where records confirm the presence of the family as early as the seventeenth century. The name is an anglicized version of the Gaelic surname Ó hAithchinn, which translates to a descendant of Aithcheann. During the early 1600s, families in this region lived through a time of significant social and political transition as the landscape of Ulster changed under new land ownership policies. The Haffeys were part of a resilient local population that maintained their identity and community ties despite these external pressures. By 1620, the family was well-established in the rural parishes of Armagh, where they likely worked as farmers or tradespeople who were deeply connected to the land and the local traditions of the province.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
O hEachthighearna
Descendant of the horse lord or master of horses.
This name
HaffeyAn Anglicized form of an Irish Gaelic surname denoting a lineage associated with horsemanship.
also spelled
Haffay
Haffie
Haffy
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
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. Hearth Money Rolls for County Armagh. 1664
Woulfe, Patrick. Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall. 1923
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
