A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Harra family of Ireland.
Reg. 1523 · Irish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Vert on a pale radiant or, a lion ramp. sa”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Harra Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Harra arms are recorded
The Harra 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 Harra 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 Harra Family in Ireland
The surname Harra has deep roots connected to the city of Dublin, with documented evidence confirming that members of the family were established there by 1645. During the mid-seventeenth century, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political change, placing the family in the middle of a transformative era in Irish history. The name likely evolved from local linguistic traditions, reflecting the diverse cultural influences that shaped the region during that period. As the family settled into the urban landscape, they became part of the growing demographic of the city, contributing to the social and economic fabric of Dublin as it expanded throughout the seventeenth century. Their presence in the city records from this time suggests that they were integrated into the local community, living through the significant historical shifts that defined Ireland during the 1600s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
O hEára
Descendant of the person named Eára
This name
HarraDerived from a personal name likely meaning dark or swarthy.
also spelled
Hara
Harra
Harrah
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654-1656
Simington, Robert C., The Civil Survey, A.D. 1654-1656: County of Dublin, 1945
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paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
