Map of Ireland showing where the Quigley arms are recorded
The Quigley arms were recorded in Donegal, c. 1645.
Donegal was remote north-western Irish country of mountain and coast. Its land was poor and its families few, but those who held ground held it for a very long time.
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 Quigley 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 Donegal.
Origin & History of the Quigley Family in Ireland
The surname Quigley is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ó Coigligh, which translates to descendant of the untidy or unkempt person. Historically, the family was part of the Cenél Conaill, a powerful group that dominated the region of Donegal. By the mid-seventeenth century, the Quigleys were well-established in this area, maintaining strong ties to the local landscape and culture. During the turbulent period of 1645, the family lived through the political instability of the Irish Confederate Wars. Despite these challenges, they remained rooted in their ancestral lands, preserving their heritage through oral traditions and local community life. Their presence in Donegal reflects a long history of resilience and connection to the northern Irish countryside.
Quigley Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
O Coigligh
Derived from the Gaelic word for untidy or unkempt hair.
This name
QuigleyRefers to a descendant of the person with disheveled or messy hair.
also spelled
Quigly
Quiglie
Quiglay
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. 1985
National Archives of Ireland. Civil Survey of Ireland. 1654–1656
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
