A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Oneil family of Britain.
Reg. 9549 · Britain, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
handFaith, sincerity and justice
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à deux lions affr. de gu., supp. ensemble une main sen. appaumée du même, en pal; le tout acc. en chef de trois étoiles rangées de gu. et en p. d'un saumon nageant au nat. C.: un bras arm., tenant une épée, le tout au nat.”
Britainc. 1613
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Map of Britain showing where the Oneil arms are recorded
The Oneil arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1613.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Britain when the Oneil 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 Oneil Family in Britain
The family name O'Neil is deeply rooted in Irish history, originating as a Gaelic surname that means descendant of Niall. While the name is most famously associated with the powerful ruling dynasties of Ulster, individual family members migrated across the British Isles for various reasons over the centuries. By the year 1613, records confirm that members of the family had established a presence in the county of Kent in England. This period was marked by significant social and political shifts, which often encouraged families to move from their ancestral lands to seek new opportunities in different regions. Settling in Kent placed these early family members within a hub of trade and agricultural development, far from the traditional power centers of their Irish ancestors. This movement reflects the broader patterns of migration that defined the seventeenth century, as individuals navigated a changing landscape to build new lives in different parts of the kingdom.
Oneil Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Ó Néill
Derived from the Gaelic word for champion or cloud.
This name
OneilDescendant of the champion, representing a noble lineage of Irish kings.
also spelled
Oneil
Neil
Neill
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
Kent Archives. Quarter Sessions Records: Sessions Papers. Q/S/P. 1613
Woulfe, Patrick. Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall. 1923
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
handFaith, sincerity and justice
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
lionCourage, strength and royalty
handFaith, sincerity and justice
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
