Map of Ireland showing where the Worthen arms are recorded
The Worthen 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 Worthen 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 Worthen Family in Ireland
The family name Worthen is believed to have English origins, likely derived from a place name describing an enclosed homestead or a farm. By the mid-17th century, the family had established a notable presence in Ireland, with records confirming their residence in Dublin by 1645. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political change, which suggests that early members of the family were likely involved in the professional or merchant classes of the city. As the family settled into the social fabric of Dublin, they became part of the broader migration patterns that defined the British Isles during the 1600s. Their presence in the capital city indicates that they were well-integrated into the administrative and economic life of the region during a time of significant historical transition.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
weorth
Old English term for an enclosure, homestead, or settlement.
This name
WorthenDerived from a topographic location referring to someone living near an enclosed farmstead.
also spelled
Worthyng
Worthyngton
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, 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.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
