Map of Ireland showing where the Larkan arms are recorded
The Larkan 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 Larkan 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 Larkan Family in Ireland
The family name Larkan has deep roots in the city of Dublin, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1645. During the seventeenth century, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political change, and families like the Larkans were often involved in the urban life of the capital. The name likely evolved from older Gaelic naming traditions, reflecting the linguistic shifts that occurred as Ireland moved through a period of significant social transition. By establishing themselves in the city during this era, the early Larkans became part of the long history of Dublin’s merchant and artisan classes. Their presence in official documents from this time suggests they were active participants in the local community during a time when the city was expanding its influence across the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Lorcan
Derived from the Gaelic word for little fierce one.
This name
LarkanAn anglicized Irish surname meaning descendant of the fierce or brave warrior.
also spelled
Larken
Larkin
Larkyn
Related arms
Larkinvariant spelling
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
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
plant quatrefoilGood fortune and the fourfold gospel
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
plant quatrefoilGood fortune and the fourfold gospel
