A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Torrens family of Ireland.
Reg. 6495 · Irish, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lampLearning, watchfulness and light in darkness
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Erm. three candlesticks, two and one or, each entwined by a wreath of laurel ppr. in the centre chief point a mural crown gu. therefrom pendent by a ribband of the last fimbriated az. a medal representing the gold medal, which by His Majesty King George IV.'s command was presented to him”
Irelandc. 1645
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the Torrens arms are recorded
The Torrens 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 Torrens 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 Torrens Family in Ireland
The family name Torrens has roots that stretch back to the rugged landscapes of the British Isles, with a strong presence in Ireland by the mid-seventeenth century. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in Dublin by 1645, a time when the city was a bustling center of trade and political change. The name itself is thought to be topographical, likely derived from the Old French word "tor," which refers to a rocky hill or a tower. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name may have lived near a prominent landmark or a fortified structure. As the family settled into life in Dublin, they became part of the growing urban population that helped shape the city during a period of significant transition. Over the following generations, the name became firmly linked to the history of the region as the family integrated into the local community and contributed to the development of Irish society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Torre
Derived from the Latin word for a tower or rocky outcrop.
This name
TorrensRefers to someone who lived near a prominent tower or a craggy, rocky hill.
also spelled
Torrance
Torrence
Related arms
Torrancevariant spelling
Torrencevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lampLearning, watchfulness and light in darkness
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lampLearning, watchfulness and light in darkness
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
