A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Irvine family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 7101 · Britain, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
hollyTruth, and protection through winter
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à la fasce de gu., acc. de trois feuilles de houx de sin., les tiges en bas. C.: un bras, arm. au nat., la main de carn. tenant un chardon au nat. D.: DUM MEMOR IPSE MEI.”
Britainc. 1700
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Map of Britain showing where the Irvine arms are recorded
The Irvine arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Irvine arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Britain.
Origin & History of the Irvine Family in Britain
The name Irvine traces its roots to the ancient regions of southwestern Scotland, where it was originally a locational surname tied to the settlement of Irvine in Ayrshire. The name likely stems from the Brythonic language, meaning green water or west river, reflecting the geography of the area where the family first established itself. Over several centuries, members of the family migrated across the British Isles for various reasons, including trade, military service, and land management. By the year 1700, records confirm that branches of the family had firmly established themselves in the county of Kent in southeastern England. This movement highlights how families during this period often relocated to follow economic opportunities or to serve in administrative roles within the expanding British state. The transition from a localized Scottish clan identity to a broader presence in English society illustrates the gradual integration of families across the kingdom during the early modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
hollyTruth, and protection through winter
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Ar. three holly leaves vert, a chief of the last”
Scotlandc. 1672
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Map of Scotland showing where the Irvine arms are recorded
The Irvine arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1672.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Britain when the Irvine arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Irvine Family in Scotland
The Irvine name has deep roots in the rugged landscape of Scotland, tracing its origins to the ancient lands of Ayrshire. The family name is locational, meaning it was originally taken from the town of Irvine and the river that flows beside it. Over many centuries, members of the family moved from these southwestern territories toward the growing urban center of Edinburgh. By the year 1672, records confirm that the family had established a firm presence in the capital city. This period was a time of great transition in Scotland, as families increasingly moved from rural estates to participate in the legal, academic, and merchant life of Edinburgh. The Irvines became part of this shifting social fabric, helping to shape the history of the city during the late seventeenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
hollyTruth, and protection through winter
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. a fesse gu. betw. three holly leaves ppr”
FermanaghCastle Irvine · Fermanagh, c. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Irvine arms are recorded
The Irvine arms were recorded in Fermanagh, c. 1645.
Fermanagh was lake country in the north-west of Ireland, planted with settlers in the seventeenth century. The new landowners took formal grants of land, and those grants brought arms with them.
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 Britain when the Irvine 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 Fermanagh.
Origin & History of the Irvine Family in Ireland
The Irvine family name has deep roots in the border regions of Scotland and Northern Ireland, with a significant presence in County Fermanagh by the middle of the seventeenth century. During the period of the Ulster Plantation, many families of Scottish origin moved across the North Channel to settle on land granted by the British Crown. By 1645, the Irvines were well-established in Fermanagh, where they integrated into the local social and economic structures of the region. They often served as landholders or local officials, helping to manage the transition of the area during a time of great political upheaval. Over the following decades, the family became a permanent fixture of the Irish landscape, blending their Scottish heritage with the evolving culture of their new home. This migration was part of a larger movement of people that permanently reshaped the demographics and traditions of the northern counties of Ireland.
Irvine Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Iwrin
A Brythonic term meaning green or fresh water.
This name
IrvineDerived from a Scottish place name referring to a settlement near a river.
also spelled
Irwin
Irwyn
Erwin
Irving
Irvin
Related arms
Voisin de la Villevoisinsimilar arms
Irvingvariant spelling
Irwinvariant spelling
Lyellrecorded with Irvine, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
Johnston, James Brown. Place-names of Scotland. 1903
The National Archives. Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Will Registers. 1700
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