Map of Ireland showing where the Mcgeoghegan arms are recorded
The Mcgeoghegan arms were recorded in Westmeath, c. 1614.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Ireland when the Mcgeoghegan 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 Mcgeoghegan Family in Ireland
The McGeoghegan family traces its roots to the ancient Gaelic nobility of Ireland, specifically as a powerful sept within the Kingdom of Meath. By the early 17th century, their influence was firmly established in County Westmeath, where they held significant lands around the area of Moycashel. The name itself is derived from the Irish Gaelic "Mag Eochagáin," which translates to the son of Eochagán. Historically, the family served as lords of the Cenél Fhiachach, a territory named after a legendary ancestor. Their status as local leaders meant they were deeply involved in the political and social shifts of the 1600s as the English administration expanded its control over Irish estates. Despite the pressures of this era, the family maintained a strong connection to their ancestral lands and their Gaelic heritage, which remained a central part of their identity for generations.
Mcgeoghegan Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Eochagán
A diminutive form of the name Eochaidh meaning horseman or steed.
This name
McgeogheganDescendant of the son of the little horseman.
also spelled
McGeoghegan
Geoghegan
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation, 1892
National Archives of Ireland, Inquisitionum in Officio Rotulorum Cancellariae Hiberniae Asservatarum, 1826
Simington, Robert C., The Civil Survey, A.D. 1654-1656: County of Westmeath, 1957
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
handFaith, sincerity and justice
lionCourage, strength and royalty
handFaith, sincerity and justice
