Map of Spain showing where the Morahan arms are recorded
The Morahan arms were recorded in Asturies, c. 1722.
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 Spain in this period.
Philip V of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Philip V of Spain
1714–1724
Reigning in Spain when the Morahan arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Spain
In Spain, a coat of arms was considered a form of property that belonged to the entire family line. These arms were passed down from a father to all his children equally. Younger branches of the family usually kept the original design without needing to add any special marks to distinguish their specific line.
Granting authority
The Cronista Rey de Armas was the official body that regulated and granted coats of arms throughout Spain.
How they got arms
Families often obtained their arms through royal grants or by proving their noble status to the official heraldic authority.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the registers of the Cronista Rey de Armas starting in 1496.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Spain.
Origin & History of the Morahan Family in Spain
The Morahan family name traces its roots in Spain to the rugged and mountainous region of Asturias, where records confirm the presence of family members by 1722. During this period, Asturias was a place defined by its distinct local traditions and its role as a stronghold for families living in the northern coastal valleys. The name likely evolved as a way to identify individuals based on their specific geographic origins or local community ties within the parish systems of the time. Life in eighteenth-century Asturias was deeply connected to the land, and families like the Morahans were often involved in the agricultural and pastoral activities that sustained the region. By settling in this area, early ancestors became part of a long history of northern Spanish heritage that prioritized family lineage and local identity. This placement in the historical record suggests that the family was well-established within the social fabric of the Asturian countryside long before the modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, az. on a mount ppr. two lions combatant or, supporting a flag staff also ppr. therefrom a flag ar., for Moran; 2nd and 3rd, or, two lions pass. in pale sa. on a canton gu. an ancient Irish crown of the first, for O'Rourke”
LeitrimLeitrim, c. 1645
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the Morahan arms are recorded
The Morahan arms were recorded in Leitrim, c. 1645.
Leitrim was poor, narrow Irish country of lake and mountain. Its landed families were few, but those who held ground held it for a very long time.
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 Spain when the Morahan 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 Leitrim.
Origin & History of the Morahan Family in Ireland
The Morahan family name is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of County Leitrim, where records confirm their presence as early as 1645. The name is an anglicized version of the Gaelic surname Ó Murchadháin, which translates to a descendant of Murchadhán, a personal name meaning little sea warrior. During the seventeenth century, the family lived through a period of intense political upheaval and land dispossession in Ireland. As members of the Gaelic professional and farming classes, they maintained their identity despite the shifting power structures of the era. By settling in the west of Ireland, the Morahans became part of the local history of Leitrim, surviving through generations of agricultural life and regional challenges. Their endurance in this specific area highlights the strong connection between Irish families and their ancestral territories during the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Moro
Derived from the Latin maurus meaning dark-skinned or Moorish.
This name
MorahanA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person of Moorish origin or dark complexion.
also spelled
Morran
Morane
Morann
Morren
Morin
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archivo Histórico Diocesano de Oviedo, Libros Sacramentales de la Parroquia de San Juan de Amandi, 1722
Fernández Conde, Francisco Javier, La Iglesia en Asturias durante la Edad Moderna, 1990
García de Enterría, Eduardo, La formación de la sociedad asturiana, 1985
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
