Pigman Family Crest & Coat of Arms

A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Pigman family of Ireland.

Reg. 7705 · Irish, P–S

Meaning of the Pigman family crest colors & symbols

Symbols on this shield

paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence

chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion

cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign

mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above

ringFidelity, and a promise kept

lanceKnightly service and the tilt

Colours

Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity

Red (Gules)Means: Military strength

Black (Sable)Means: Constancy

Gold (Or)Means: Generosity

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)

“Per pale ar. and gu. on a chief indented sa. a mullet or, betw. two annulets of the first, on a canton of the second a tilting spear of the third, with a pennon striped vert and of the first in bend sinister surmounted of a sword ppr. pommel and hilt gold in bend dexter, encircled with a chaplet of laurel also ppr”

DublinBerwick-on-Tweed · Dublin, c. 1636

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Where the Pigman Arms Were Recorded

Dublin

Map of Ireland showing where the Pigman arms are recorded

The Pigman arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1636.

Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.

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.

Region: Dublin
Town: Berwick-on-Tweed
First recorded: 1636

Granting Authority for the Pigman Arms

Authority

Ulster King of Arms

1552-1943

The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.

Sovereign of the period

Charles I of England

1625–1649

Reigning in Ireland when the Pigman 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 Dublin.

Origin & History of the Pigman Family in Ireland

The surname Pigman is a rare occupational name that likely originated in England before spreading to Ireland during the seventeenth century. Historical records confirm that members of the family were living in Dublin by 1636, a period marked by significant migration and social change across the British Isles. The name itself suggests that early ancestors may have been involved in the trade of swine, either as farmers, drovers, or butchers. In the medieval era, such names were often assigned to individuals based on their daily labor or their specific role within a village economy. By the time the family settled in Dublin, they were part of a growing urban population that included many skilled tradespeople and merchants. While the name remains uncommon today, its presence in early colonial records highlights the movement of families seeking new opportunities in Irish cities during the early modern period.

Documented Sources