A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Meath family of Ireland.
Reg. 5703 · Irish, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Meaux, or Meux (Kingston, Isle of Wight, bart., extinct 1706; descended from LUDOVICK MEUX, grandson of Sir WALTER MEUX, Knt., of London, m. ALICE, dau. and heir of WILLIAM DREW, of Kingston; Sir JOHN MEUX, of Kingston, was created a bart. 11 Dec. 1641, but the title expired with his grandson, Sir WILLIAM MEUX, who d. unm. in 1706, leaving his sisters his co-heirs; the eldest, ELIZABETH, m. Sir JOHN MILLER, Bart., of Froyle, and had an only dau. and heiress, ELIZABETH, m. to Sir EDWARD WORSLEY, of Gatcombe. The present Sir HENRY MEUX, Bart., of Theobald's Park, descends from a younger branch of the Kingston family). Paly of six or and az. on a chief gu. three crosses pattée of the first. Crest—Two wings endorsed, the points downwards ar. tied together with a cord or.”
Irelandc. 1641
Where the Meath Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Meath arms are recorded
The Meath arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1641.
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 Meath 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 Meath Family in Ireland
The surname Meath is a locative name, meaning it was originally taken from the ancient Kingdom of Meath in Ireland. The name itself comes from the Old Irish word Mide, which is thought to mean the middle or the center of the country. By the mid-seventeenth century, members of the family were well-established in Dublin. Records from 1641 show that the family was present in the city during a time of great political upheaval in Ireland. During this period, Dublin served as the primary administrative center for the island, and families living there were often involved in the legal, mercantile, or governmental affairs of the capital. Because the name is tied to a specific geographic region, it suggests that the earliest ancestors likely migrated from the central plains of Meath toward the growing urban center of Dublin to seek new opportunities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Midhe
The middle or central region of Ireland.
This name
MeathRefers to a person originating from the ancient Kingdom of Meath.
also spelled
Meth
Methe
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
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of 1654–1656
Simington, Robert C., The Civil Survey, A.D. 1654–1656: County of Dublin, 1945
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
