Map of Britain showing where the Ocoileain arms are recorded
The Ocoileain arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of arms.
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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Ocoileain arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Britain.
Origin & History of the Ocoileain Family in Britain
The family name Ocoileain originates from the Gaelic language and is deeply rooted in the history of Ireland. The name is often Anglicized as Collins, and it historically belonged to a prominent sept, or clan, based in the southern regions of the country. By the year 1700, members of this family had established a presence in Kent, England, likely as part of the broader patterns of migration and movement between the British Isles during that era. These early ancestors were part of a period defined by significant social and political change, which prompted many families to seek new opportunities across the Irish Sea. While the family name began with strong Irish linguistic roots, its appearance in English parish and tax records from the early eighteenth century marks the beginning of its integration into the local communities of Kent.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Coileán
A young hound or whelp.
This name
OcoileainDescendant of the young hound, often associated with a spirited or energetic warrior.
also spelled
Okoolan
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
Woulfe, Patrick. Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames. 1923
The National Archives, UK. Kent Parish Registers and Bishop’s Transcripts
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
