Map of Ireland showing where the Rooney arms are recorded
The Rooney arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
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.
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 Rooney 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 Ireland.
Origin & History of the Rooney Family in Ireland
The name Rooney originates from the Irish Gaelic surname Ó Ruanaidh, which translates to descendant of the champion or hero. This name was historically prominent in various parts of Ireland, particularly in the northern regions and the province of Connacht. By the year 1645, records confirm that members of the Rooney family were well-established in Dublin. During this period, Dublin was a center of significant political and social upheaval, and the presence of the family in the city suggests they were integrated into the urban life of the capital. As the seventeenth century progressed, the family name continued to spread across the country, reflecting the broader movements and shifts in Irish society during a time of great change.
Rooney Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Ó Ruanaidh
Derived from the Gaelic word for a champion or hero.
This name
RooneyA descendant of the champion, often associated with red-haired or valiant individuals.
also spelled
Rony
Ronnie
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, A.D. 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.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
