A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Harrah family of Ireland.
Reg. 6362 · 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. armed and langued gu”
SligoCoolany · Sligo, c. 1635
Where the Harrah Arms Were Recorded
Sligo
Map of Ireland showing where the Harrah arms are recorded
The Harrah arms were recorded in Sligo, c. 1635.
Sligo was north-western Irish country with a harbour and poor land behind it. Its families were few and held their ground for a very long time, which is what put them in the records.
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 Harrah 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 Sligo.
Origin & History of the Harrah Family in Ireland
The Harrah family name has deep roots in the coastal landscape of County Sligo, Ireland, where records confirm the family was established by 1635. During this period, Sligo was a region defined by complex land ownership and shifting political power following the plantation of Ireland. Families living in this area often navigated a transition from traditional Gaelic social structures to the administrative systems introduced by the English crown. The name likely evolved from a phonetic interpretation of an older Irish surname, reflecting how local officials recorded names based on how they sounded to their ears. As members of the community in Sligo, early Harrah ancestors were part of a resilient population that maintained their presence through centuries of significant social and economic change. Their history is tied to the rugged geography of the west of Ireland, where the family lived and worked as part of the local fabric long before many of their descendants eventually migrated across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
O hEarchadha
Descendant of the one who is eager or spirited.
This name
HarrahDerived from an Irish Gaelic personal name signifying a spirited or energetic individual.
also spelled
Harah
Harrah
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
O'Donovan, John, Letters containing information relative to the antiquities of the county of Sligo collected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1836, 1836
National Archives of Ireland, Inquisitions of the Province of Connacht, 1600–1640
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
