A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Tuthill family of Ireland.
Reg. 1495 · Irish, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, az. on a bend cotised or, a lion pass. sa. betw. two trefoils slipped vert, for TUTHILL; 2nd and 3rd, ar. on a cross gu. five escallops or, a trefoil in the canton vert, for VILLIERS”
DublinDublin, c. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Tuthill arms are recorded
The Tuthill arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1645.
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 Tuthill 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 Dublin.
Origin & History of the Tuthill Family in Ireland
The Tuthill family name is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, where it originated as a topographical surname. It was used to describe people who lived near a "tote hill," which was a high point or a mound used as a lookout post for spotting approaching travelers or potential threats. By the time the family established a documented presence in Dublin in 1645, they were part of a wave of settlers who moved across the Irish Sea during a period of significant political and social change. These early Tuthills in Ireland often integrated into the urban merchant and professional classes of the city. Their transition from rural English origins to the bustling streets of seventeenth-century Dublin reflects the broader movement of families seeking new opportunities in the administrative and commercial centers of the British Isles.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
tote hill
A lookout point or elevated position used for observation.
This name
TuthillDerived from a topographical feature indicating a person who lived near a prominent lookout hill.
also spelled
Tuthyll
Tuthylle
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing. A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames. 1901
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
