Map of Ireland showing where the Mahar arms are recorded
The Mahar arms were recorded in Wexford, c. 1645.
Wexford was the corner of Ireland closest to Wales, settled early by Norman families. They held their land under arms and kept it for generations, which is why so many Wexford names carry recorded shields.
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 Mahar 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 Wexford.
Origin & History of the Mahar Family in Ireland
The family name Mahar is a variation of the Irish surname O Meachair, which originates from the Gaelic word for kind or hospitable. While the name is most famously associated with County Tipperary, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in County Wexford by 1645. During this period, the family lived through a time of significant political upheaval as Ireland faced the consequences of the Cromwellian conquest. Many families with this name were part of the Gaelic social structure that held onto their local influence despite the changing power dynamics of the seventeenth century. Over time, the spelling of the name evolved from its original Gaelic form to the more simplified version used today. This transition often occurred as families moved or interacted with English-speaking administrators who recorded names based on how they sounded. By remaining in regions like Wexford, the Mahar family contributed to the long history of Irish lineages that maintained their identity through centuries of transition.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ó Meachair
Derived from the Gaelic word for hospitable or kind.
This name
MaharA surname signifying a descendant of the hospitable or generous one.
also spelled
Meagher
Mahar
Meahar
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
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of 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
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
