Map of Ireland showing where the Ohearn arms are recorded
The Ohearn arms were recorded in Kerry, c. 1645.
Kerry was mountain and coast country in the far south-west of Ireland. Its land was poor and held by a few families for a very long time, and long unbroken holding fills a register.
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 Ohearn 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 Kerry.
Origin & History of the Ohearn Family in Ireland
The family name O’Hearn originates from the Gaelic name Ó hEachthigheirn, which translates to descendant of the horse lord. This name highlights the importance of horses in early Irish society, as those who managed or owned them held significant status. By 1645, records confirm that the family was well-established in County Kerry. During this period, the family lived through a time of great political upheaval in Ireland as local clans faced pressure from changing land ownership laws. Despite these challenges, the O’Hearns remained deeply connected to the landscape of the southwest. They were part of a long tradition of families who maintained their identity through oral history and local community ties during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ó hEachthigheirn
Descendant of the horse lord or horse master.
This name
OhearnDerived from the Gaelic term for a master of horses or horseman.
also spelled
Heron
Herron
Herone
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1969
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of County Kerry, 1654-1656
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heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
