A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mcelligott family of Ireland.
Reg. 5540 · Irish, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 tower triple-towered ar”
KerryKerry, c. 1645
Where the Mcelligott Arms Were Recorded
Kerry
Map of Ireland showing where the Mcelligott arms are recorded
The Mcelligott arms were recorded in Kerry, c. 1645.
Kerry was mountain and coast country in the far south-west of Ireland. Its land was poor and held by a few families for a very long time, and long unbroken holding fills a register.
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 Mcelligott 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 Kerry.
Origin & History of the Mcelligott Family in Ireland
The McElligott family name originates from the Gaelic Irish name Mac Uileagóid, which translates to son of Uileagóid. This name is a diminutive form of the name William, showing how the family adopted and adapted Norman naming traditions after the arrival of settlers in Ireland. By 1645, the family was well-established in County Kerry, where they held significant lands and influence. They were particularly associated with the area around Ballymacelligott, a parish named after the family that served as their ancestral stronghold. Throughout the seventeenth century, the family played an active role in the complex political and military landscape of Munster, often aligning themselves with the interests of the local Gaelic nobility and the broader Irish Catholic cause during periods of intense upheaval.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac Uileagóid
Son of the descendant of the diminutive form of William.
This name
McelligottDerived from a Gaelic patronymic meaning son of the follower of the resolute protector.
also spelled
McElligott
Elligott
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
Ó Murchadha, Diarmuid. Family Names of County Kerry. 2011
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.
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
