Dundalk

Heraldry of the World
Civic heraldry of Ireland

DUNDALK

County : Louth

Official blazon

Origin/meaning

The bend and martlets are derived from the De Furnivall family one of whom Thomas De Furnivall obtained by right of marriage with Joan De Verdon daughter of Theobald DeVerdon a succession to a large part of the land and property of Dundalk and district about the year 1319. The De Verdons were the original Anglo-Norman family to receive a grant in North County Louth in the late twelf^th century, as part of the Norman conquest, probably in peaceful succession to O'Cearbhaill, the last of the Kings of Airghialla.

The ermine boar supporter is derived from the arms of the O'Hanlon family, Kings of Airthir, who, following accession of the De Verdons, continued as tenants to them paying an annual rental of £5 as and when the same could be collected.

The origins of the foot soldier with his spear and sword is not known, neither is the lion on the crest, although the latter may be from the Mortimer family whose Roger held the Lordship of Louth in 1330. A Mortimer Castle stood in Park Street as late as the seventeen^th century.