Kennedy Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

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Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) O’Kennedy (a Sept descended from Donnchuan, brother of Brien Boroimha, King of Thormond, who inhabited the territory of Gleann Omra, now known as Killo-Kennedy, co. Clare, and derived their name from Cinneidigh, the son of Donnchuan). Sa three helmets in profile ppr. Crest—An arm embowed vested az. holding a scymitar all ppr.
2) (England). Sa. three esquires’ helmets ar. Crest—On a rock a goose ppr.
3) (Tombrechan, co. Tipperary; Fun. Ent. James Kennedy, son and heir of William Kennedy grandson of Donogh Kennedy, and great-grandson of Rory Kennedy, all of the same place, killed at Borris, co. Tipperary, by Kean O’Carroll, 14 May, 1640). Sa. three esquires’ helmets ar. garnished or. Crest—An arm erect couped below tho elbow, the hand holding an oak branch fructed all ppr.
4) (Hugh Kennedy, of Dublin, merchant, son of Lawrence Kennedy. Visit. City of Dublin, 1607). Same Arms. Crest—A demi eagle displ. sa. bezantee, holding in the bill a cross formee fitchee gu.
5) (Robert Kennedy, Alderman of Dublin, son of the foregoing. Visit. Dublin, 1607). Same Arms and Crest, a mullet for diff.
6) (Dublin; Fun Ent. 1595, Ulster’s Office). Sa. a fleur-de-lis betw. three esquires’ helmets ar. garnished or.
7) (confirmed by Molyneux, Ulster, 1628, to Robert Kennedy, Chief Chamberlain of the Exchequer in Ireland). Sa. an escallop or, betw. three helmets ar. garnished of the second. Crest—A naked hand holding a horn betw. two oak leaves ppr.
8) (Hill Foot, Ireland). Sa. on a fess ar. betw. three esquires’ helmets close ppr. a greyhound courant ppr. Crest—An arm in armour embowed, the hand holding an oak branch acomed all ppr. Motto—Adhaereo virtuti.
9) (Johnstown-Kennedy, co. Dublin, bart.; granted to John Kennedy, Esq., of Johnstown, co. Dublin). Sa. on a fess betw. three helmets close ar. a fox courant ppr. Crest—An armed arm embowed ppr. the hand grasping a branch of oak also ppr. fructed or. Motto—Adhæreo virtuti.
10) (granted to George Crookshank Kennedy, Esq., of Londonderry). Ar. a chev. gu. betw. three crosses crosslet fitchée sa. Crest—A dolphin naiant ppr. Motto—Avise la fin.
11) (Bargany and Ardstinchar, co. Ayr). Quarterly, 1st and 4th, ar. a chev. gu. betw. three cross crosslets fitchée ea., for Kennedy; 2nd and 3rd, az. three fleurs-de-lis or, the arms of France, borne for the aid given by Sir Hugh Kennedy in the French wars with England.
12) (Kirkhill, representative of Bargany, 1678). Quarterly, as the last. Crest—A hand grasping a dagger ppr. Motto—Fuimus.
13) (Bennane, co. Ayr, representative of Bargany, 1837). Quarterly, as the last. Crest—A fleur-de-lis or, issuing out of two oak leaves ppr. Supporters—Dexter,&a lady attired in the costume of the 16th century; sinister, a wyvern, both ppr. Motto—Fuimus.
14) (Clowburn, co. Ayr). Quarterly, 1st and 4th, ar. on a fesse az. three mullets of the first, for Weir; 2nd and 3rd, quarterly, 1st and 4th, ar. a chev. gu. betw. three cross crosslets fitchée sa. all within a double tressure flory counterflory of the second, for Kennedy, 2nd and 3rd, France, as in the arms of Kennedy, of Bargany. Crest—A dexter hand holding a military girdle, on it the words “Vires veritas.” Motto—Below the shield: Non fallo.
15) (Auchtyfardell, co. Lanark, 1752). Ar. on a chev. gu. betw. three cross crosslets fitchée sa. a fleur-de-lis ar. Crest—A dexter hand holding a dagger ppr. Motto—Avise la fin.
16) (Earl of Cassilis, and Marquis of Ailsa). Ar. a chev. gu. betw. three cross crosslets fitchée sa. all within a double tressure flory counterflory of the second. A dolphin naiant ppr. Supporters—Two swans ppr. beaked and membered gu. Motto—Avise la fin.
17) (Blairquhan, co. Ayr). Quarterly, 1st and 4th, ar. a chev. gu. betw. three cross crosslets fitchée sa.; 2nd and 3rd, az. a lion ramp. ar. crowned or, for Macdowall.
18) (Girvanmains, co. Ayr). Ar. on a chev. gu. betw. three crosses crosslet fitchée sa. a boar’s head erased of tha first, and in the middle chief point a man’s heart of the second. Crest—A dolphin naiant ppr. Motto—Avise la fin.
19) (Kirkmichael, co. Ayr). Ar. a chev. gu. betw. two crosses crosslet fitchée in chief, and a boar’s head erased sa. in base. Crest—A palm branch slipped vert. Motto—Malim esse probus quam haberi.
20) (Kirmucks, co. Aberdeen). Ar. two keys saltireways gu. and in base a cross crosslet fitchée sa.
21) (Ardmillan, co. Ayr). Ar. a chev. ensigned with a man’s heart gu. betw. three cross crosslets fitchée sa.
22) (Col. Alex. Kennedy, C.B., K.C.H., 1839). Ar. a chev. gu. betw. three cross crosslets fitchée sa. and in middle chief point a fleur-de-lis az., and for an augmentation, on a chief erm. the representation of a French ensign and flag, with the inscription “ L’Empereur Napoleon, au 105me Regiment,” &c., thereon, and a sword displ. saltireways, and over the same the word “Waterloo.” Crests—Dexter: A soldier of the 1st Royal Dragoons, holding in his right hand a sword ppr., and in his left a French eagle with a tricolored flag, having thereon the number 105; sinister: A dolphin az. Motto—Avise la fin.
23) (Underwood, co. Ayr, 1850). Ar. on a chev. gu. betw. three cross crosslets fitchée sa. a mullet pierced betw. two lions counter-pass. or. Crest—A dolphin hauriant ppr. Motto—Vincit vim virtus.
24) (Cultra, co. Down). Ar. a chev. gu. betw. three cross crosslets fitchée sa. within a double tressure flory counterflory of the second. Crest—A dolphin naiant ppr. Motto—Avise la fin.