A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Virgin family of Ireland.
Reg. 4412 · Irish, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
lilyPurity and the promise of resurrection
pine coneLife and fertility
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. on a chev. betw. three lilies slipped in chief ar. and a pineapple slipped and leaved in base or, a grappling iron sa. enclosed by two martlets of the field”
Irelandc. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Virgin arms are recorded
The Virgin 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 Virgin 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 Virgin Family in Ireland
The surname Virgin has roots that stretch back to the mid-seventeenth century in Ireland, with documented evidence placing family members in Dublin as early as 1645. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political transition, and the presence of the name suggests the family was part of the growing urban population during a time of significant social change. Names like Virgin often originated as descriptive nicknames or occupational markers in medieval Europe, though in the context of seventeenth-century Dublin, the name likely became established through local parish records and legal documents. As the family settled into the city, they became part of the fabric of Dublin life, navigating the complex religious and economic shifts that defined the mid-1600s. While the name is relatively rare, its early appearance in the capital city indicates that the family was well-integrated into the administrative and social structures of the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Virgo
Latin term meaning maiden or virgin.
This name
VirginAn occupational or descriptive name likely denoting a person of purity or a religious devotee.
also spelled
Vergin
Vergine
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, 1654–1656
Royal Irish Academy, A Census of Ireland, circa 1659, 1939
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
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
lilyPurity and the promise of resurrection
pine coneLife and fertility
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
lilyPurity and the promise of resurrection
pine coneLife and fertility
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
