Map of Ireland showing where the Keogh arms are recorded
The Keogh arms were recorded in Carlow, c. 1645.
Carlow was small, rich farming country in south-eastern Ireland, taken early by Norman families. Good land kept the same families on it, and staying put is what puts a name 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 Keogh 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 Carlow.
Origin & History of the Keogh Family in Ireland
The surname Keogh originates from the Irish Gaelic name Mac Eochaidh, which translates to the son of Eochaidh. The name Eochaidh itself is derived from an ancient word meaning horseman or knight. By the middle of the seventeenth century, the family had established a significant presence in County Carlow, as evidenced by records from 1645. During this period, the family was part of the Gaelic social structure that had persisted for centuries despite the changing political landscape of Ireland. They were often associated with the learned classes or professional families who served local chieftains. As the century progressed, many families with this name faced significant displacement due to land confiscations and political upheaval, yet they remained deeply rooted in the cultural history of the Leinster province.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac Eochaidh
Derived from the Old Irish word for a horseman or knight.
This name
KeoghRefers to the descendant of the horseman, signifying a warrior or rider.
also spelled
Kehoe
Keo
Related arms
Longfieldrecorded with Keogh, same area
Rochfortrecorded with Keogh, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of County Carlow, 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.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
handFaith, sincerity and justice
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
handFaith, sincerity and justice
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
