Map of Ireland showing where the Holleran arms are recorded
The Holleran arms were recorded in Galway, c. 1645.
Galway was western Irish country of poor land and a rich port. A small group of merchant families ran the town for centuries and held estates around it, and both kinds of property carried 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 Holleran 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 Galway.
Origin & History of the Holleran Family in Ireland
The family name Holleran finds its deep historical roots in the rugged landscape of County Galway, Ireland. By the year 1645, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in this western region. The name is an anglicized version of the Gaelic surname Ó hAllmhuráin, which translates to a descendant of the stranger or the one from across the sea. This suggests that the family’s ancestors may have originally arrived in Ireland from overseas, perhaps from Scandinavia or other coastal regions, before integrating into the local Gaelic society. Over many centuries, the family became deeply connected to the culture and traditions of Galway, living as part of the complex clan structures that defined life in rural Ireland during the medieval and early modern periods.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ó hAllmhuráin
Descendant of the stranger from across the sea.
This name
HolleranDerived from the Gaelic term for a foreigner or overseas traveler.
also spelled
Halloran
Holleran
Hallaran
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Woulfe, Patrick. Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames. 1923
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
National Archives of Ireland. Civil Survey of County Galway. 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.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
horseReadiness to serve king and country
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
horseReadiness to serve king and country
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
