A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Halpin family of Ireland.
Reg. 2182 · Irish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. fretty sa. a fleur-de-lis gu”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Halpin Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Halpin arms are recorded
The Halpin 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 Halpin 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 Halpin Family in Ireland
The surname Halpin originates from the Gaelic name Ó hAilpín, which translates to descendant of Ailpín. This name is rooted in an ancient personal name that likely carries the meaning of small elf or little alp. While the family name is most strongly associated with County Clare and the surrounding regions of Munster, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in Dublin by 1645. During this period, Dublin was a center of significant political and social change, and families like the Halpins were often involved in the urban life of the city as merchants, tradespeople, or landowners. The presence of the family in the capital during the mid-seventeenth century suggests that they were integrated into the administrative and economic networks of the time. Over the following centuries, the name spread further across Ireland and eventually overseas, maintaining its link to these early Irish foundations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ailpin
A diminutive form of the Old Irish word for elf or alp.
This name
HalpinDerived from the Gaelic Mac Ailpein, signifying a descendant of the little elf.
also spelled
Halpen
Halpyn
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
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.
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
