Map of Ireland showing where the Kirkwood arms are recorded
The Kirkwood arms were recorded in Roscommon, c. 1808.
Roscommon was midland Irish grazing country, held by old Irish families before the plantations and by settlers after. Both sorts held land, and holding land is what brought 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 Ireland in this period.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1801–1820
Reigning in Ireland when the Kirkwood 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 Roscommon.
Origin & History of the Kirkwood Family in Ireland
The Kirkwood family name has deep roots in the British Isles, with its origins tracing back to the Scottish Lowlands before spreading to Ireland. The name itself is topographical, derived from the Old English words for a church and a wood, suggesting that the earliest ancestors lived near a woodland area surrounding a place of worship. By the early nineteenth century, members of the family had established a notable presence in County Roscommon. Records from 1808 confirm their integration into the local landscape, where they became involved in the agricultural and social life of the region. During this era, families like the Kirkwoods often moved across the Irish Sea to manage land or pursue new opportunities, eventually becoming deeply woven into the local history of the Irish midlands. Their transition from Scottish origins to life in Roscommon reflects the broader patterns of migration and settlement that shaped the demographic history of Ireland during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
knightChivalry and service in arms
branchPeace, and new growth
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Per fesse az. and ar. on the first a demi savage issuing, wielding a wooden mallet ppr. on the second three branches of oak vert”
Scotlandc. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Kirkwood arms are recorded
The Kirkwood arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
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.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Ireland when the Kirkwood 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 Kirkwood Family in Scotland
The name Kirkwood is a locational surname that originated in the Lowlands of Scotland, specifically derived from the Old English and Scots words for a church located near a wood. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, a city that served as the intellectual and administrative heart of the Scottish Enlightenment. During this period, the Kirkwoods were integrated into the urban fabric of the capital, often working as skilled tradespeople or merchants who contributed to the city's growing economy. As Edinburgh expanded beyond its medieval walls, families like the Kirkwoods navigated the transition from traditional craft guilds to the modern professional life of the Georgian era. Their history reflects the broader movement of Scottish families who settled in developing urban centers to seek new opportunities in law, commerce, and the arts.
Kirkwood Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Kirk and Wood
Church and a wooded area or forest.
This name
KirkwoodRefers to a person who lived near a church located within a forest.
also spelled
Kirkwode
Kyrkwood
Related arms
Blackerrecorded with Kirkwood, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Grenham, John, Tracing Your Irish Ancestors, 2019
National Archives of Ireland, Valuation Office Records: House, Field and Tenure Books, 1808
O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation, 1892
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
knightChivalry and service in arms
branchPeace, and new growth
