Map of Ireland showing where the Ocean arms are recorded
The Ocean arms were recorded in Sligo, c. 1645.
Sligo was north-western Irish country with a harbour and poor land behind it. Its families were few and held their ground for a very long time, which is what put them in the records.
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 Ocean 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 Sligo.
Origin & History of the Ocean Family in Ireland
The surname Ocean is a rare and distinct name with deep roots in the coastal landscape of County Sligo, Ireland. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in this region by 1645, a time when the area was marked by significant social and political upheaval. The name likely originated as a topographical descriptor, used to identify families who lived near the vast Atlantic coastline that defines the Sligo geography. Because the name is not derived from traditional Gaelic clans, it is possible that it was adopted or anglicized during the seventeenth century to reflect the family’s close connection to the sea. Over generations, the family remained part of the local Sligo community, contributing to the maritime and agricultural life of the province of Connacht.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ó hÓgáin
Descendant of the young or youthful person.
This name
OceanAn anglicized form derived from the Irish Gaelic term for a descendant of a young warrior.
also spelled
Crean
Creen
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation, 1892
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of County Sligo, 1654–1656
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
wolfReward from long service and hard work
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
wolfReward from long service and hard work
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
