Map of Ireland showing where the Mchugh arms are recorded
The Mchugh 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 Mchugh 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 Mchugh Family in Ireland
The surname McHugh is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Mac Aodha, which translates to son of Aodh. The name Aodh itself is an ancient Irish term meaning fire, and it was a popular name among early tribal leaders and kings. By the mid-seventeenth century, members of the McHugh family were well-established in Dublin. During this period, the city was a center of significant political and social change as Ireland navigated the aftermath of the Irish Confederate Wars. Families like the McHughs living in Dublin in 1645 would have been part of a diverse urban population experiencing the pressures of military occupation and shifting land ownership. Over time, the family spread from these urban roots into various regions of Ireland, maintaining their identity through their distinct patronymic surname.
Mchugh Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Aodh
An ancient Gaelic word meaning fire or the god of fire.
This name
MchughSon of the descendant of Hugh, representing a fiery or bright spirit.
also spelled
McHugh
Hugh
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
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1980
National Archives of Ireland. Civil Survey, 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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
