Map of Ireland showing where the Maughan arms are recorded
The Maughan arms were recorded in Westmeath, c. 1645.
Westmeath was midland grazing country in Ireland, taken by Norman families and held for centuries. Its estates were large and passed down whole, and unbroken tenure brought arms with it.
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 Maughan 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 Westmeath.
Origin & History of the Maughan Family in Ireland
The surname Maughan is primarily of Gaelic Irish origin, derived from the Old Irish name *Mathghamhain*, which translates to bear. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family was well-established in County Westmeath, a region deeply affected by the political upheavals of the era. Records from 1645 place members of the family within this central Irish landscape, a time when the area served as a significant site for both land ownership disputes and local governance. As the name evolved through anglicization, it became a distinct identifier for families living in the Irish Midlands. These early ancestors were likely part of the local farming or landholding classes who navigated the complex social changes occurring in Ireland during the seventeenth century. Their presence in Westmeath highlights the deep roots the family established in the province of Leinster long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mathghamhain
Derived from the Gaelic words for bear and calf.
This name
MaughanA patronymic surname signifying descendant of the bear-calf, denoting a fierce warrior.
also spelled
Magin
Maggane
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
O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation, 1892
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of Ireland, 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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
