A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Leister family of Ireland.
Reg. 2904 · Irish, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bordureA difference between branches of one family
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. a fess betw. three fleurs-de-lis or, a border of the last”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Leister Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Leister arms are recorded
The Leister 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 Leister 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 Leister Family in Ireland
The surname Leister has roots that reach back to the mid-seventeenth century in Ireland, with documented evidence placing family members in Dublin as early as 1645. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political transition, making it a significant location for families to establish their presence. The name likely evolved from geographical or occupational descriptors common in Northern Europe, reflecting the movement of people across the Irish Sea during an era of great social change. As these early ancestors settled into the city, they became part of the complex urban fabric of seventeenth-century Ireland. Their presence in the capital suggests they were likely involved in the professional or merchant classes that helped define the city’s growth during the mid-1600s. By tracing these early records, we gain a clearer picture of how the Leister name became integrated into the historical landscape of Dublin.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Laighneach
A person originating from the province of Leinster in Ireland.
This name
LeisterAn anglicized occupational or locative surname denoting someone from the eastern Irish province.
also spelled
Lester
Leystre
Leystar
Related arms
Leicestervariant spelling
Lestervariant 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
Royal Irish Academy, Census of Ireland circa 1659, 1939
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