A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mcnally family of Ireland.
Reg. 2339 · Irish, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. an arm in armour couped at the shoulder in fess, holding in the hand a battle axe all ppr. betw. six martlets sa. three and three, paleways, in dexter chief an ancient Irish crown gu”
Irelandc. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Mcnally arms are recorded
The Mcnally 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 Mcnally 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 Mcnally Family in Ireland
The surname McNally is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Mac an Fhailghigh, which translates to son of the poor man or son of the destitute one. While the name originated in the western regions of Ireland, specifically County Mayo and County Monaghan, members of the family were firmly established in Dublin by 1645. During this period, the family lived through a time of significant political upheaval as Ireland faced the consequences of the Cromwellian conquest. Records from the mid-seventeenth century suggest that the McNally family in Dublin were part of a growing urban population that navigated complex social shifts and religious tensions. Over time, the family name became more common in the capital city as people moved from rural areas to seek new opportunities in trade and administration. This transition helped the name spread beyond its traditional ancestral lands and become a recognized part of the Irish genealogical landscape.
Mcnally Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mac an Fhailghigh
Son of the lord or son of the poor man.
This name
McnallyDerived from an Irish Gaelic patronymic indicating descent from a person of noble or impoverished status.
also spelled
McNally
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 the County of Dublin, 1654
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
