A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Trench family of Ireland.
Reg. 9249 · Irish, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Paly of six ar. and sa. a bend or”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Trench Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Trench arms are recorded
The Trench 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 Trench 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 Trench Family in Ireland
The Trench family name has roots that trace back to the French region of Poitou, where members of the family were known as La Tranche. During the seventeenth century, religious and political instability in France prompted many families to seek new lives elsewhere. By 1645, records confirm that members of the Trench family had established a presence in Dublin, Ireland. This relocation marked the beginning of their long integration into Irish society, where they eventually became prominent landowners and public figures. Over the following generations, the family name evolved from its French origins to the English spelling used today. Their early history in Dublin reflects a broader pattern of migration that shaped the social and cultural landscape of the city during the mid-seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
tranche
Old French word meaning a slice or a cut.
This name
TrenchA topographical name for someone who lived near a ditch or a trench.
also spelled
Trenche
Related arms
McCarthyrecorded with Trench, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Burke, Bernard, A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry of Ireland, 1912
National Archives of Ireland, Prerogative and Diocesan Wills, 1596–1858
Trench, W. Steuart, Realities of Irish Life, 1868
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
