A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Handa family of Ireland.
Reg. 9159 · Irish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Chequy ar. and sa. a lion ramp. az. armed and langued gu. holding betw. the paws a dexter hand couped at the wrist ppr”
DublinSymond Hand · Dublin, c. 1640
Where the Handa Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Handa arms are recorded
The Handa arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1640.
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 Handa 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 Dublin.
Origin & History of the Handa Family in Ireland
The Handa family name has a distinct history rooted in the bustling urban environment of seventeenth-century Dublin. By 1640, members of the family were already established residents within the city, placing them in the capital during a period of significant political and social transition in Ireland. While the name is often associated with diverse linguistic origins, its presence in Dublin at this time suggests that the family was integrated into the trade and administrative networks of the city. As Dublin grew into a major hub for commerce and governance, families like the Handas likely played a role in the local economy or the civic life of the growing metropolis. Their early documented presence indicates that they were part of the foundational population that helped shape the city’s development during the mid-1600s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
O hAnnaidh
Derived from the Gaelic word for a descendant of a peaceful person.
This name
HandaA surname originating from County Clare meaning descendant of the peaceful one.
also spelled
Handa
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey, A.D. 1654-1656, County of Dublin
Pender, Séamus, A Census of Ireland, circa 1659, 1939
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
lionCourage, strength and royalty
