Something For The Weekend. Find Your Irish Coat of Arms.

Written by Lulu O'Sullivan

Framed Irish family crest featuring a red lion on a heraldic shield, paired with a historical document and wax seal—ideal for showcasing Gaelic heritage, ancestral genealogy, and traditional Irish symbolism in home décor or cultural displays.

Hi Everyone. I hope I find you all well this week. One of the most popular topics on my weekly blog is the subject of "going back to your Irish roots". Some of you are looking for travel advice when planning a trip to discover your Irish origins while nearly everyone wants to know all there is to know about their Irish surname.

And here's the thing- once you've discovered your family name's history, the next question I always get is: "How do I celebrate it?" Well, I have two answers for you, and they happen to be our two most beloved ancestry gifts here at The Irish Store.

Our Two Bestselling Ancestry Gifts

1. Personalized Framed Family Crest-Available Here

This is the one I recommend to everyone who wants to display their Irish heritage with real pride.

Beautifully crafted and made in Ballina, County Mayo, it features your Irish family crest alongside the history of your Irish name, all presented in a gorgeous wooden frame with a gilt edge. It measures 10" x 8" and we have over 2,000 names available.

A gift from Ireland to be treasured for generations.

2. Personalized Framed Double Heraldic Print-Available Here

If you're shopping for a couple, perhaps a wedding, engagement, or anniversary, this is the one.

Also made in Ballina, County Mayo, this stunning piece features two Irish family crests sitting side by side, beautifully mounted and framed.

It's the perfect way to honour two Irish family lines coming together. I absolutely love this one.

Popular Irish Surnames & Their Stories

1. Murphy

Our number one Irish coat of arms is certainly no surprise. In Ireland we poke fun at the oft told story of the tourist arriving in Ireland and asking "So do you know the Murphys?" The truth is that it is highly likely that most of us do actually know a Murphy!

It is the most common name in Ireland. Approximately 50,000 people in the country have the Murphy name. The origin of the name comes from two different ancient Gaelic clans — the O'Murchadha and the MacMurchadha.

The name means "Sea Warrior". The Murphy clan originally had a large stronghold in the province of Leinster. Today, the name is found in all parts of the country with the largest percentage of Murphys residing in Munster.

2. Kelly

The Irish surname Kelly is another popular Irish name. The name comes from the Gaelic "O'Ceallaigh", meaning warrior or fighter.

Another meaning is "frequenting Churches" which originates from the Irish word Ceall. The dancer Gene Kelly was famously proud of his Irish roots. The inimitable Grace Kelly was the granddaughter of John Peter Kelly, a bricklayer from County Mayo.

3. Ryan

There are over 30,000 Irish people living in Ireland with the surname Ryan. This number rises dramatically when you take in the worldwide numbers of the Irish diaspora.

The origins of this particular name are not 100% clear but it has been said that it may have been derived from the Gaelic word "Rí" meaning King. There are numerous Ryan clans documented in history. Many of these originate in parts of Leinster including Wexford and Carlow.

The majority of Ryan families track their heritage to the Munster clans in Tipperary and Limerick.

4. O'Sullivan

Last on the list is my very own clan and it seems I descend from royalty! The O'Sullivans are said to be a continuation of the Eoghanacht Chaisil sept.

They descended from the King of Cashel or Munster from 601–618AD. The O'Sullivans later became known as high princes under the powerful Kingdom of Desmond who succeeded the O'Sullivans in Cashel/Munster.

The O'Sullivans family motto is "An Lámh Fhoisteanach Abú" which translates as "The Steady Hand to Victory".

Naturally, I have my own Personalized Framed Family Crest hanging proudly on my wall — and I couldn't recommend it more highly!

The Perfect Gift for Any Irish Family

Whether you're shopping for yourself or for someone special, these two pieces are the finest way I know to honor an Irish family name:

Personalized Framed Family Crest — ideal for individuals, birthdays, and milestone occasions.
Personalized Framed Double Heraldic Print — perfect for weddings, engagements, and anniversaries.

Shop our stunning collections of Aran sweaters, Celtic Jewelry & Authentic Irish Homeware below.

Take care,

Slán go fóill!

Lulu.

LULU O'SULLIVAN

Hi everyone. I'm Lulu O Sullivan and I founded The Irish Store in 2011 fuelled by my passion for all things Irish; its places, its people, its culture and its craft. At The Irish Store we are dedicated to bringing you, our worldwide community of valued customers, the very finest Ireland has to offer. Thanks for dropping by!