Map of Ireland showing where the Kevan arms are recorded
The Kevan arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Kevan 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 Ireland.
Origin & History of the Kevan Family in Ireland
The surname Kevan is deeply rooted in the history of Ireland, with records confirming that family members were well-established in Dublin by 1645. The name is widely considered an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Mac Caomháin, which translates to son of the handsome or gentle one. During the seventeenth century, families with this name were often part of the shifting social landscape of urban Ireland as the country navigated significant political and religious changes. By settling in a major hub like Dublin, the early Kevans were likely involved in the city’s growing trade networks and professional life. Over time, the spelling of the name evolved to suit the English-speaking administration of the era, yet it remained a distinct marker of the family’s Irish heritage. This early presence in the capital suggests that the family was integrated into the local community during a time of great transition for the nation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Caoimhín
Derived from the Old Irish elements meaning gentle, handsome, and birth.
This name
KevanA name signifying a person who is handsome, comely, or born of noble grace.
also spelled
Keevan
Kevan
Kevane
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 the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
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saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
swordJustice, and military honour
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
swordJustice, and military honour
