Map of Ireland showing where the Laughlin arms are recorded
The Laughlin arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1607.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Ireland when the Laughlin 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 Laughlin Family in Ireland
The family name Laughlin is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ó Lochlainn, which translates to descendant of Lochlann. The name Lochlann itself was historically used by the Irish to describe people from Scandinavia, specifically the Vikings who settled in parts of Ireland. By the year 1607, members of the family were well-established in Dublin, a city that served as a major center for trade and administration during a time of significant political change. As the family became more integrated into the urban life of Dublin, they transitioned from their traditional Gaelic roots into the English-speaking society that dominated the city. This shift often involved adapting the spelling of their name to match the phonetic style of the time, leading to the version used today. Their presence in the capital during the early seventeenth century suggests they were part of the growing middle class or merchant groups who helped shape the development of the city during the transition into the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Lochlann
A term referring to the land of the lakes or Scandinavia.
This name
LaughlinDerived from a Gaelic term for a Viking or a person from Scandinavia.
also spelled
Lachlan
Loughlin
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. Calendar of the State Papers Relating to Ireland. 1607
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
handFaith, sincerity and justice
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
swordJustice, and military honour
handFaith, sincerity and justice
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
swordJustice, and military honour
