Map of Ireland showing where the O'Hanlon arms are recorded
The O'Hanlon arms were recorded in Armagh, c. 1645.
Armagh was the church capital of Ireland with good farmland around it. Church office and landholding both brought standing, and standing was marked with 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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the O'Hanlon 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 Armagh.
Origin & History of the O'Hanlon Family in Ireland
The O’Hanlon family, known in Irish as Ó hAnluain, traces its deep roots to the ancient kingdom of Oriel in the northern part of Ireland. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family held significant influence in County Armagh, where they were recognized as the lords of Orior. As a prominent Gaelic sept, they played a central role in the local political and social landscape for generations. Their power was tied closely to the land, and they maintained a strong presence in the region long before the turbulent events of 1645. During this era, the family navigated the complex shift from traditional Gaelic leadership structures to the changing political realities of seventeenth-century Ireland. Their history remains a vital part of the cultural heritage of County Armagh, reflecting the resilience of families who held onto their ancestral territories despite centuries of regional upheaval.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ó hAnluain
Descendant of the champion or warrior.
This name
O'HanlonDerived from the Gaelic word for champion, signifying a descendant of a heroic warrior.
also spelled
Hanlon
Hanlan
Hanlen
Related arms
Hanlonvariant spelling
Fitz-Patrickrecorded with O'Hanlon, same area
Kavanaghrecorded with O'Hanlon, same area
Mac Cochlanrecorded with O'Hanlon, same area
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
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, Drennan Letters and Papers
National Archives of Ireland, Inquisitionum in Officio Rotulorum Cancellariae Hiberniae Asservatarum Repertorium
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
