A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the O'Gorman family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2242 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur au lion léopardé d'arg., acc. de trois épées du même, garnies d'or, posées en pals, 2 et 1. C.: un bras arm., tenant une épée flamboyante, le tout au nat. D.: PRIMI ET ULTIMI IN BELLO.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the O'Gorman arms are recorded
The O'Gorman arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the O'Gorman arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the O'Gorman Family in France
The O’Gorman family history in France began in the early eighteenth century as part of the movement of Irish families known as the Wild Geese. By 1725, members of the family had established a significant presence in the region of Bretagne, particularly within the port city of Lorient. This location was a strategic hub for the French East India Company, and the O’Gormans integrated themselves into the local maritime and merchant communities. They were part of a wider network of Irish expatriates who sought new opportunities in France after leaving their homeland due to political and religious restrictions. Over time, these families adapted to French society while maintaining their distinct cultural identity. Their transition from Ireland to the coastal towns of France allowed them to become successful traders and professionals who played a quiet but active role in the economic life of the province.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. a lion pass. or, betw. three swords erect ar. pommelled and hilted of the second”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the O'Gorman arms are recorded
The O'Gorman arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the O'Gorman arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
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 England.
Origin & History of the O'Gorman Family in England
The O’Gorman family name originated in Ireland, but historical records confirm that members of the family had established a presence in the English city of York by 1620. During the early seventeenth century, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, attracting individuals from across the British Isles who sought new opportunities or religious refuge. For an Irish family settling in England at this time, life often involved navigating the complex social and legal structures of a country that was frequently at odds with their homeland. These early O’Gormans in York likely integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes, adapting to the customs of the city while maintaining their distinct cultural identity. Their presence in northern England suggests that the family was part of a larger movement of people who crossed the Irish Sea to build lives in new urban centers during a period of significant political and social change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gormán
Derived from the Old Irish word gorm meaning blue or noble.
This name
O'GormanDescendant of the noble or blue-eyed one, originating from Irish Gaelic roots.
also spelled
Gorman
MacGorman
Gormane
Related arms
Gormanvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Frizell, Patrick, The Irish in France, 1999
Hayes, Richard, Biographical Dictionary of Irishmen in France, 1949
O'Gorman, Thomas, The O'Gormans of Lorient, 1985
Archives Nationales, Série E (Familles)
Archives Départementales du Morbihan, Série B (Cours et juridictions)
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
swordJustice, and military honour
lionCourage, strength and royalty
swordJustice, and military honour
