Map of Ireland showing where the Leehy arms are recorded
The Leehy arms were recorded in Cork, c. 1645.
Cork was the largest county in Ireland, with a great harbour and a wide farming hinterland. Both English settlers and older Irish families held land there, and holding land is what brought a family into the records.
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 Leehy 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 Cork.
Origin & History of the Leehy Family in Ireland
The family name Leehy is deeply rooted in the history of County Cork, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1645. The name is an anglicized version of the Gaelic surname Ó Laoidhigh, which translates to a descendant of the poet or the singer. In medieval Gaelic society, families with this name were often associated with the learned classes, as the word laoidh refers to a traditional poem or a song. By the mid-seventeenth century, the Leehy family lived through a period of intense political upheaval in Ireland, navigating the shifting land ownership and social changes that defined the era. Despite these challenges, the family maintained a presence in the region, preserving their identity through generations as they transitioned from their Gaelic origins into the evolving landscape of colonial Ireland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
O Laoidhigh
Derived from the Gaelic word for a poem or song.
This name
LeehyA descendant of the poet or the one who sings songs.
also spelled
Lahey
Lehey
Lehie
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 of the County of Cork. 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.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
sceptreRoyal authority and justice
lionCourage, strength and royalty
sceptreRoyal authority and justice
