A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kinnell family of Ireland.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Barry wavy of eight az. and ar”
The Kinnell 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.
Reigning in Ireland when the Kinnell arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Kinnell is primarily associated with Scottish origins, specifically linked to the lands of Kinnell in Angus. The name is topographical in nature, likely derived from the Gaelic words for a head or a point of land. By the middle of the 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in Ireland, with records confirming members of the Kinnell family were living in Dublin by 1645. This migration was part of a broader movement of people between Scotland and Ireland during a period of significant political and social upheaval. Those who settled in Dublin often integrated into the urban merchant and professional classes of the city. Over time, the family name persisted through generations as these individuals adapted to the changing landscape of Irish society while maintaining their ancestral connection to their Scottish roots.
Derived from Gaelic words for head and wolf or hostile.
