Map of Ireland showing where the Kinsella arms are recorded
The Kinsella arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1647.
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 Kinsella 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 Dublin.
Origin & History of the Kinsella Family in Ireland
The surname Kinsella originates from the Gaelic name Cinnsealach, which translates to mean headstrong or proud. Historically, the family was closely linked to the Uí Ceinnsealaigh dynasty, a powerful group that ruled over the ancient kingdom of Leinster in southeastern Ireland. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Dublin. Records from 1647 confirm that members of the Kinsella family were living and working in the capital during a time of great political upheaval in Ireland. As the centuries progressed, the name became deeply rooted in the social and cultural landscape of the region, evolving from its tribal origins into a widespread Irish surname.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cinnsealach
Derived from the Gaelic word for head or leader.
This name
KinsellaRefers to a person who is headstrong or holds a position of leadership.
also spelled
Kinsella
Kinsell
Kinsellah
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, A.D. 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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
