A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Murgatroyd family of Ireland.
Reg. 8907 · Irish, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. three crosses pattée flory gu. each charged with five bezants, on a canton of the second a conger's head couped in pale or, derived from the coats of his two patrons, Whitgift and Gascoigne”
Irelandc. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Murgatroyd arms are recorded
The Murgatroyd 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 Murgatroyd 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 Murgatroyd Family in Ireland
The surname Murgatroyd originates from the West Riding of Yorkshire in England, where it first appeared as a place name. The name is derived from Old English and Old Norse roots, specifically referring to a clearing or an enclosure belonging to a person named Murgat. By the mid-seventeenth century, members of the family had migrated across the Irish Sea to settle in Dublin. Records confirm their presence in the city by 1645, a time when many English families were moving to Ireland due to shifting political and economic landscapes. These early settlers in Dublin likely integrated into the professional and merchant classes of the city, establishing a branch of the family that would remain distinct from their Yorkshire roots for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Murgatroyd
Derived from Old English words for marshy ground and a clearing.
This name
MurgatroydRefers to a person who lived at a clearing located near a marsh or bog.
also spelled
Murgatroyd
Murgatrode
Murgatroyde
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
Smith, A. H., The Place-Names of the West Riding of Yorkshire, 1961
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
