A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Harrold family of Ireland.
Reg. 1739 · Irish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. a pall flory ar. betw. three plates, one and two, each charged with an estoile of eight points of the field”
LimerickLimerick, c. 1645
Where the Harrold Arms Were Recorded
Limerick
Map of Ireland showing where the Harrold arms are recorded
The Harrold arms were recorded in Limerick, c. 1645.
Limerick was river country in western Ireland with a walled city at its centre. Merchant families ran the city and bought land around it, and both the trade and the land brought arms.
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 Harrold 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 Limerick.
Origin & History of the Harrold Family in Ireland
The Harrold family name has deep roots in Ireland, particularly within the historic city and county of Limerick. By the year 1645, the family was well established in this region, playing a role in the local social and political landscape during a period of significant upheaval. The name itself is thought to be of Old Norse origin, derived from the name Harold, which means army ruler. Over many centuries, families bearing this name integrated into Irish society, often becoming deeply connected to the land and the urban life of Limerick. As the family grew, they became part of the complex tapestry of Irish history, surviving through eras of conflict and change while maintaining their presence in the west of Ireland. Their early history reflects the broader movement of people across Europe, as names of Viking origin were gradually adopted and adapted by local populations across the British Isles and Ireland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Haraldr
Old Norse name composed of elements meaning army and ruler.
This name
HarroldAn Irish surname of Viking origin signifying a leader of the army.
also spelled
Harald
Harolde
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
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 Limerick, 1654–1656
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
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roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
