A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Harnett family of Ireland.
Reg. 7864 · Irish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. a fess or, betw. two lions' heads erased in chief and a crescent in base ar”
KerryBallyhenry · Kerry, c. 1645
Where the Harnett Arms Were Recorded
Kerry
Map of Ireland showing where the Harnett arms are recorded
The Harnett arms were recorded in Kerry, c. 1645.
Kerry was mountain and coast country in the far south-west of Ireland. Its land was poor and held by a few families for a very long time, and long unbroken holding fills a register.
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 Harnett 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 Kerry.
Origin & History of the Harnett Family in Ireland
The surname Harnett is deeply rooted in the history of County Kerry, Ireland, where the family established a notable presence by the mid-seventeenth century. The name is widely considered an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ó hAirtnéid, which likely evolved from older Norse or Viking influences that settled along the southwestern coast of Ireland. By 1645, members of the Harnett family were documented as landowners and active participants in the local society of North Kerry, particularly around the areas of Castleisland and Listowel. During this period of political upheaval in Ireland, the family managed to maintain their local standing despite the significant land transfers and social changes occurring across the region. Their resilience allowed the name to remain a consistent part of the Kerry landscape for centuries, marking them as a family with deep connections to the heritage and geography of the Munster province.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ó hAirtnéide
Descendant of the grandson of the bear-like warrior.
This name
HarnettDerived from a Gaelic personal name meaning bear-like or strong warrior.
also spelled
Harnot
Harnott
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 the County of Kerry. 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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
