Map of Ireland showing where the Shea arms are recorded
The Shea 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 Shea 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 Shea Family in Ireland
The family name Shea, traditionally anglicized from the Gaelic name Ó Séaghdha, traces its roots to the Kingdom of Munster in southwestern Ireland. While the family was historically prominent in County Kerry, records confirm that members of the family were established in Dublin by 1645. During this period, Dublin served as a bustling center of political and social activity, and the presence of the Shea family there suggests they were likely involved in the city’s growing merchant or professional classes. As the seventeenth century progressed, the family navigated the significant social and religious shifts occurring across Ireland. Their migration from the rural southwest to the urban landscape of Dublin reflects the broader movement of Irish families seeking new opportunities within the capital city during a time of intense historical change.
Shea Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Séaghdha
An Old Irish word meaning hawk-like or majestic.
This name
SheaDerived from a Gaelic personal name signifying a stately or noble person.
also spelled
O'Shea
Shee
Sheay
Related arms
Sheevariant spelling
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
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1969
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
