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K R O'Hair PAGE-59
CHAPTER
IV
Heraldry
The following history of arms is given in the hopes it will prove to be
interesting and informative.
YOUR COAT OF
ARMS
In the garden of history are many flowers and that garden is Heraldry. When we
see our coat-of-arms for the first time, it should arouse in us feelings of
pleasure and satisfaction although we may be unable to explain exactly why. It
is of course a pictorial representation of the achievements of individuals and
families handed down from father to son and zealously guarded and preserved
through the ages. It enables us to study at first hand changing social and
political attitudes at an important stage in the evolution of Western European
civilization. It serves to remind us of a social and political order long gone
and at the same time acts as a useful vehicle of cultural continuity. It forms
a tangible basis for that innate pride of origin common to almost all.
Historically arms arose out of a necessity for a mark of personal
identification in battle. From the dawn of history long before he could read
or write man used symbols and emblems to convey his ideas. In the days of the
Empire, the Romans carried the eagle atop their standards as a symbol of
strength. The old Celtic clans used a system of colours to indicate social and
political precedence; the ullamh or professor ranked
K R O'Hair PAGE-60
highest
with seven colours. Although there is on record a curious coat-of-arms
attributed to Cass, King of North Munster in the third century, nevertheless
the coat-of-arms as we know it arose out of the introduction of coat mail by
Normans in the twelfth century . Since combatants were now covered from head
to foot in grey steel, an instantly recognizable device became necessary in
order to distinguish friend from foe. The primary and other bright colours
were the obvious choice and these were so painted on the shields as to be
readily recognized at a distance without margin of error. Hence the origin of
the heraldic rule which states that arms must always appear on a shield shape.
It is scarcely necessary at this stage to point out that Heraldry in its
origin and purpose was a visual art. The main tinctures or colours employed
were gules or red, symbol of martial fortitude and magnanimity; azure or blue,
symbol of loyalty and truth; sable or black, symbol of constancy and grief;
and vert or green, symbol of hope. The chief metals used were gold, depicted
as bright yellow, symbolizing generosity and elevation of mind, and silver
depicted as white indicating peace and sincerity. The only fur used was ermine
indicated by a triangle of dots about an arrowhead. The most simple
coats-of-arms are usually the most ancient, often consisting of only a
division of the shield into two colours or into a colour and a metal.
From its simple and practical origins, Heraldry gradually developed into a
highly sophisticated art. As the number of coats-of-arms multiplied, an ever
increasing number of objects, animals, birds and even mythical creatures began
to be depicted on shields. Often these devices were emblematic of some
glorious deed or praiseworthy act of the owner. The emblems were founded on
fact or tradition appertaining to the bearer or his ancestors.
Perhaps the most renowned of all Irish heraldic emblems is the Red Hand of
Ulster, the centuried badge of the O'Neills, which refers to the Dexter Dei or
Right Hand of God found on the old Celtic crosses. Probably the most numerous
is the lion, symbol of courage, used in a variety of ways on the shield for
difference since
K R O'Hair PAGE-61
so many
desired to use it as an emblem. It occurs mainly on the arms of those clans
whose territories touched the River Shannon. Generally emblems on Irish coats
are representative of the flora and fauna of Ireland, with the trefoil or
shamrock, trees, deer and fish very much in evidence. The triplication of
objects so frequently found in Gaelic arms is due to the profound influence of
Christianity on all aspects of Irish civilization and culture.
The basic components of any armorial achievement are the shield, the crest and
the motto. Of these three the shield is the most important since it is on the
shield that the arms are depicted. The crest which surmounts the arms is
usually shown on a wreath of the two main colours of the shield. Consequently
it is possible to identify the shield from the crest. The motto was originally
a cri-de-guerre or slogan used by the soldiers in battle, and later adopted by
the head of the clan. Anyone of course can adopt a motto but if at all
possible the heraldic motto should be adhered to. Mottoes are very much a
matter of personal taste. Some of the old ones are extremely interesting,
others merely consist of classical tags. The motto is usually shown on a
scroll beneath the shield, which however as we have seen may be displayed on
its own.
Three other features of the coat-of-arms deserve mention, namely, the helmet,
mantling and wreath. Though not necessarily part of the heraldic achievement
the helmet serves to remind us of the turbulent days of Europe's middle ages
out of which heraldry was born. The mantling was a rich cloth worn around the
helmet to protect the metal from the heat of the sun. It usually reflects the
two main colours of the shield. In battle it was kept in place by a twisted
cord called a wreath. Shield, crest, motto, helmet, mantling, wreath - the
whole should form a colourful and romantic achievement commanding admiration.
Finally heraldry conjures up pictures of armour, castles and deeds of honour.
Its appeal lies in the fact that it provides a living link with the past and a
particularly romantic part of the past at that. Although it originated in
Western Europe, it has now spread to
K R O'Hair PAGE-62
the New World
where today it has become a living art. It is now put to more practical
widespread use than ever before, and from a decorative point of view it has
found its way into the homes of many thousands in the form of paintings,
badges and wall plaques.
Provided by HERALDIC ARTISTS LTD, Dublin, Ireland
***************************
This writer's grandson, Richard F. O'Hair, visited Ireland during the summer of
1967. One of the specific places he visited in Dublin was the Genealogical
Office in Dublin Castle. There he requested information of the O'Hair arms and
received information concerning the arms of the Haire family. Such information
was taken to Heraldic Artists Ltd., where a picture was made in accordance with
such specifications. This picture is now on file in the office of this writer.
The picture is similar, but not exactly alike in every detail, to the arms
pictured in the "Michael O'Hair Family" book, compiled and edited by Mrs. C.
Gerald Brann, Bloomington, Indiana, May, 1957. However, the O'Hair family is
authorized to use and display two other and different arms illustrated in both
Murtaugh's book and MacLysaght's book, thru family relationship.
Murtaugh informs us that almost every Irish name has a coat of arms and that
Irish coats of arms are older than those of the Scotch and English. Unlike the
British arms, the authentic Irish arms of virtually every Irish name occuring in
one's family can now be displayed properly on bookplates, linen, walls, anywhere
and everywhere. This book illustrates authentic arms of over 2, 000 Irish names.
In this book are listed the names of the following families who have authentic
arms which members of the O'Hair family are privileged to display: O'Hehir,
O'Hare and Reynolds. The coat of arms belonging to a related family can be
displayed. The plate number for O'Hare, O'Hehir and Reynolds is the same, "Plate
12, number 331 . " 1 The arms on Plate 12 are described as
follows: Vert a lion rampant between three escallops or. Crest: On a mount a
stag couchant proper. This coat of arms is not similar in any respect to the
coat of arms in the "Michael O'Hair Family" book.
K R O'Hair PAGE-63
MacLysaght has written many books on Irish history, including several on Irish
genealogy. The cover story on the first of his books on genealogy, published in
1957, describes the author as having been a Keeper of Manuscripts in the
National Library of Ireland, and Chief Herald in Dublin Castle. The author
collected material for his first book on genealogy for twelve years. It is
claimed that his works are the most authoritative and accurate ever produced on
the subject. MacLysaght describes the office he held thusly: "Ulster King of
Arms (as the head of the Irish Office of Arms in Dublin was called) who derived
his authority from the King of Great Britain and Ireland, continued to exercise
his functions in Ireland until March 31, 1943, when his office was transferred
to the Government of Ireland and has since been known as the Genealogical
Office, its head being entitled Chief Herald of Ireland. This transfer took
place more than twenty years after the establishment of the Irish Free State.
. . All the arms in this book have been taken from the archives of the Irish
Office of Arms (Genealogical Office) and the depiction has been done by the
heraldic artist employed by that authority. They may, therefore, be regarded as
authentic and accurate. The genealogical data to be found in the body of the
work has been derived from a variety of sources. Here again the records of the
Genealogical Office, which date back to its establishment in 1552, are the main
primary source."2
MacLysaght illustrates on Plate XII, another coat of arms which the O'Hare or
O'Hair family is authorized and privileged to display because of family
relationship. This belongs to the MacGarry, Garrihy (O'Hehir, Hare) family. The
shield is blazoned, Argent a lion rampant between four trefoils slipt vert, in
chief a lizard passant. Vert. Crest: A fox's head coupled gules holding in the
mouth a snake proper. The same arms are illustrated in Murtaugh's book on Plate
17, number 292, indexed under the name of MacGarry. This coat of arms is
entirely different from the one in the "Michael O'Hair Family" book.
On February 3, 1969 an order was sent to Heraldic Artists for two plaques; one
of the O'Hare (O'Hair) family, and the other of the O'Hehir family of County
Clare. The plaque of the O'Hare (O'Hair) family arrived in April, 1969. It is
the same as the description my grandson obtained from the Genealogical Office
and had made into a picture at
K R O'Hair PAGE-64
Heraldic Artists
in 1967. This plaque is blazoned: Arms - Gules two bars, or on a chief indented
argent a thistle proper, Crest - A lion rampant argent supporting the Roman
fasces proper, Motto - In te Domine Speravi (In Thee, O Lord, I have placed my
hope). This plaque differs from the arms pictured in the family book because the
plaque has a thistle proper on the shield and the lion on the crest supports the
Roman fasces proper (battle axe), neither of which appear on the arms pictured
in the family book.
The other plaque, of the O'Hehir family of County Clare, was received in June,
1969. It is blazoned as follows: Arms - Argent a stag passant proper, Crest - A
hand coupled at the wrist proper holding a sword bendways sinister sable, Motto
- Dia Dom Corp (God Protect Me).
A letter of inquiry to Heraldic Artists as to whether the arms were official and
recorded received the following reply:
HERALDIC ARTISTS LTD.
INSIGNIA CRAFTSMEN
21 Wicklow Street
Dublin 2, Ireland
1st August 1969
Mr. K. R. O'Hair
P. O. Box 375
Paris, Illinois
Dear Sir,
The arms recently forwarded you are recorded in Harlean MMS. 4039 in the
British Museum under Hehir - a form peculiar to County Clare. The O'Hair arms
as furnished are recorded in Burke's General Armoury .
Yours
faithfully,
(signed)
A. McMichall
for
Heraldic Artists
***************************
K R O'Hair PAGE-65
From the British Museum this writer obtained a photo copy of the Harlean
MMS. 4039 arms from which the plaque of the O'Hehir arms of the family of
County Clare was made.
The O'Hair arms mentioned in the foregoing letter are the arms registered under
the name of James Haire in Burke's "General Armoury" and do not relate to the
O'Hair family. There are no arms recorded in Burke's under the name of O'Hair or
O'Hare; however, the O'Hair arms are the arms of the Clanna Rory, recorded in
Burke's under the name of Reynolds, who were members of the same clan.
From Burke's "General Armory," under the heading of "Right to Bear Arms," we
learn that during the reign of Henry VIII, a proclamation was issued forbidding
the use of heraldic ensigns to those who could not show an original and
valid right to the arms. Deputies were to enforce such laws in each province.
Due to the unsettled conditions in Ireland during the 16th and 17th centuries,
according to remaining records, the deputies checked in Ireland only three
times, in 1606, 1607 and 1618. "To provide for this want of Visitation, Ulster
King of Arms has authority to give a Confirmation (with some slight heraldic
difference to indicate the fact of its being a Confirmation), to a
claimant who can prove to his satisfaction that he, the claimant, and his family
have used for a certain number of generations the said arms and crest."
Burke's "General Armory" disclosed the following under the name of: "Haire
(Armagh Manor, co. Fermanagh; confirmed to James Haire, esq., son and heir of
Robert Haire, esq., Q.C., and grandson of James Haire, of Armagh, and their
descendants). Bu. two bars or, on a chief indented argent a thistle proper.
Crest - a lion ramp. ar. Supporting the Roman fasces ppr. Motto - In te Domine
speravi." 3
Since this coat of arms was confirmed to James Haire of Armagh and his
descendants, it cannot be used by any other persons except the descendants of
James Haire; therefore, it cannot legally be used by any branch of the O'Hair
family. The present coat of arms displayed in the "Michael O'Hair Family" book
is essentially the same as the coat of arms confirmed to James Haire,
with one important difference: the James Haire coat of arms displays a thistle
on the shield and a lion on the crest which are not displayed on the O'Hair coat
of arms.
The O'Hair coat of arms used in the "Michael O'Hair
K R O'Hair PAGE-66
Family" book
is not recorded either in England or Ireland. This is confirmed by a letter
dated January 12, 1970 addressed to this writer from Rodney Dennys, Somerset
Herald of Arms at the College of Arms in London, England. The full letter is
reprinted on page 75. In this letter Mr. Dennys stated in part: "It is possible
that, before the 1854 Confirmation, the family of Haire (and perhaps other
families of that name) used the Arms of which you sent me a coloured copy; but
it might not be possible to confirm this. At the time of the 1854 registration,
the Arms which the family was using without authority were slightly altered, but
we do not know exactly what amendments were made." The coloured copy of the arms
Mr. Dennys referred to was a copy of the arms displayed in the "Michael O'Hair
Family" book. The slight alteration Mr. Dennys referred to appears to have been
the addition of the image of the thistle to the shield.
Considering the foregoing and all other available information, it is reasonable
to assume that James Haire used the O'Hare arms, with slight alterations, which
the family had used prior to the date of such registration; and that the
original O'Hare arms were not registered because the O'Hare family was Catholic
and had not dropped the prefix "O" or anglicised their name as provided by
English law; and feared English persecution because of their opposition to
England's domination of Ireland.
In reply to an inquiry to Heraldic Artists of Dublin, relative to the arms of
the O'Hehir family of County Clare, the following letter dated September 4, 1969
was received:
Dear Sir,
The Hehir arms are an example of old Irish fundamental Clan arms and exactly
when they first came into being we do not know. Harlean MMS. 4039 contains a
record of arms used by some 316 Irish Clans at the Battle of the Boyne 1690.
******
A letter of inquiry dated October 14, 1969 was sent to the Chief Herald of Arms
of the Genealogical Office of Dublin, Ireland, posing the following questions:
-
When
was the coat of arms recorded in Dublin Castle (copy enclosed), which
Heraldic
K R O'Hair PAGE-67
Artists of Dublin prepared for me in April, 1969, and which is
purported to be the arms of the O'Hare or O'Hair family?
-
By whom, or
for whom, was such recording made?
-
I
would like to be further informed whether the O'Hehir family has a coat of
arms recorded in Ireland, or London, and the date of such recording.
This following letter was received in reply to the above questions:
Oifig Gheinealais,
Genealogical Office
An Caislean,
(Office of Arms)
Baile Atha Cliath.
Dublin Castle
16 October, 1969
Mr. K. R. O'Hair,
146 E. Wood Street,
Paris, Illinois,
U. S.A. 61944,
Dear Sir,
We have been considering the points raised in your letter of 14th October and we
are pleased to inform you that according to a card index of heraldry here the
arms to which you refer were apparently registered in this office in 1854. The
entry in the card index reads as follows:-
Confirmation of Arms to the descendants of James Haire of Armagh Manor,
and to his grandson James Haire of Armagh Manor in County Fermanagh, 9th
November, 1854 (G.O. MS 108, pp. 39 - 40).
We may say that many old Irish coats of arms were never registered as such, i.e.
we have no record of who was the original grantee. Indeed a number of older arms
were in existence long before the foundation of the Office of Arms in 1552. In
any case it would not be politic for Hugh O'Neill or Hugh O'Donnell - to take an
example - to come to
K R O'Hair PAGE-68
register
their arms at Dublin Castle, the seat of English administration at that time.
There are scattered throughout our manuscripts simple records, often in trick
form, of a great number of long-established basic arms associated with various
Irish families. In the case of the O'Hehir family, traditionally located in Co.
Clare, simple records (as opposed to registration) of the coat of arms ascribed
to them will be found in Manuscript No. 528, Royal Irish Academy, and in
Harleian MS No. 4039 at the British Museum.
Finally, it will be appreciated that armorial bearings do not appertain to a
name but to a family, in other words slight variations due to the anglicization
of Gaelic names would not materially affect the fundamental arms properly
attaching to an old Irish family.
Yours faithfully,
Donal F. Beglen
for Chief Herald.
****************************
Oifig Gheinealasis,
Genealogical Office
An Caislean,
(Office of Arms)
Baile AthaCliath. Dublin Castle
27 November 1968
Mr. Karl R. O'Hair,
P. O. Box 375, Paris,
Illinois, U.S.A. 61944
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your letter of August 29th.
A check of sources readily available in this Office does not reveal any amorial
bearings appertaining to the family of O'Hare, O'Hehir, or O'Hair.
Yours very truly,
Donal F. Beglen
****************************
K R O'Hair PAGE-69
Heraldry is somewhat different in England than in Ireland. For that reason, the
following is condensed from the book, "Heraldic Design," by Heather Child.
In Great Britain heraldry is administered by official authority stemming from
the Crown. When arms became hereditary the bearing of them signified continuity
and a worthy pedigree. So the coat of arms has come to be a mark of historical
identity and family continuity. Heraldry, or more accurately armory, became
established during the second half of the 12th century. By the mid-14th century
the principle that no man might use arms already adopted by another had been
assumed in an English court of law and it was not long before the Crown forbade
the bearing of arms without authority. The position today is that in addition to
the grants of arms by Royal Warrant, arms and armorial insignia are granted only
by the Kings of Arms in England, by Lyon King of Arms in Scotland and Ulster
King of Arms in Northern Ireland. The Kings of Arms have the power to grant by
letters patent, a power conferred on them individually by the Crown.
The College of Arms has thirteen members; all are officers of the Royal
Household and appointed by the Crown on the nomination of the Duke of Norfolk,
Earl Marshal of England.
Apart from their duties on State occasions the members of the College
investigate claims to bear arms, arrange for granting of armorial bearings, draw
up family trees and trace pedigrees. The practice of heraldry and genealogy has
been closely linked since Tudor times (1485-1603).
The unrivalled heraldic collections in the record rooms and libraries of the
College of Arms in Queen Victoria Street are not available for direct
consultation by the public, their use requiring expert knowledge. Enquiries by
members of the public, either in person or by letter, are dealt with by the
officer of arms 'in waiting,' that is to say on duty for the week. Officers
receive only a nominal salary and fees are charged to clients for their
services.
The sole right to arms is established by Letters Patent of Grants from the Kings
of Arms, or by Warrant
K R O'Hair PAGE-70
from the
Crown, or by inheritance by lineal descent from an ancestor to whom a Grant was
made, or whose right to arms has been officially recognized and registered in a
way conversant with the laws of Arms as practiced in this (England) country. As
regards eligibility, it has been said and broadly speaking holds good that 'any
worthy man of good repute and adequate substance may apply for and most probably
will receive a grant of arms for himself and his family. '
All 'Grant' or 'Confirmation of Arms' are formally and regularly recorded, with
a full blazon of the insignia, at the College of Arms. To paint or draw a coat
of arms is to emblazon it, to describe a coat of arms in words is to blazon it.
4
****************************
In order to determine if arms were recorded in England under the name of O'Hair,
O'Hehir, or O'Hare, the following correspondence was instigated:
September 11, 1969
College of Arms
Queen Victoria Street
London, England
Gentlemen:
I would like to obtain information concerning arms of the families of O'Hehir,
O'Hare and O'Hair - whether there has been a grant or confirmation of arms for
any of the above named families which has been officially recognized and
registered in a way consistent with the laws of arms as practiced in Great
Britain. If such arms are registered, I would like information concerning by
whom registered and the date of registration.
If you will give me an estimate of the cost of the work requested, I will
submit a formal order and funds to cover such cost.
Respectfully yours,
Karl R. O'Hair
****************************
K R O'Hair PAGE-71
From R. O. DENNYS, O.B.E., F.S.A.
SOMMERSET HERALD OF ARMS
COLLEGE OF ARMS
QUEEN VICTORIA STREET
LONDON, E.C.4
15th September 1969
Mr. K. R. O'Hair,
146 E. Wood Street,
Box 375, Paris,
Illinois, 61944, U.S.A.
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your letter of 11th September. To enable me to answer your query,
a general search must be made in the Official Registers of the College of Arms
to see what Arms and pedigrees (if any) may be on record for families of this
name. These Registers are unique and very extensive, covering more than four
centuries of Genealogical and Heraldic manuscripts.
To establish a right to Arms, it is necessary to prove a direct male line
descent from an ancestor who himself is officially recorded as entitled to Arms.
Possession of the same surname is not, in itself, any proof at all of this
right; many families of the same name bear different arms, while others of that
name may have no right to Arms at all. From this, you will see that there may be
several families of O'Hair, and its variant spellings, recorded as having Arms;
and I should require full information on your own family to enable me to say if
one of them might be linked to your own ancestor or not. Can you give me the
full name, and exact date and place of birth, of the first emigrant member of
your family to settle in America? His trade or profession and religious
denomination should also be given, with the names of his wife and children, and
anything known about his parents. You will appreciate that the more details you
can give, the easier it would be to assist you.
On completion of this search, a report would be sent to you on the results. We
may be lucky and find
K R O'Hair PAGE-72
your own
family, or at least one of the same name in the right area; in
which case, further work might establish a link between the two. On the other
hand, until work has been started we shall not know what may or may not be
recorded here; the results of this work can sometimes be disappointing, and we
may be unable to find anything at all relevant. However, once I have seen what
is in fact in our Registers, I shall be in a better position to
advise you further.
The fee for this general search and preliminary examination of the problem would
be $50; and I should add that, as all fees here are payable in advance, no
further expense would be incurred without your knowledge. If you will address me
personally here, by my heraldic title please to avoid delay, I will be
glad to give you any assistance I can.
Yours faithfully,
R. O. Dennys,
Somerset Herald of Arms
****************************
October 24, 1969
R. O. Dennys, O.B.E., F.S.A.
Somerset Herald of Arms
College of Arms
Queen Victoria Street
London
England
Dear Sir:
In reply to your letter dated 15th September 1969 (copy enclosed) I am pleased
to give you the following instructions:
I would like to make a general search of the Official Registers of the College
of Arms to see what arms and pedigrees (if any) may be on record of the
O'Hair, O'Hehir, Heir or O'Hare name. I am especially interested in finding out
if the full color pictured coat of arms enclosed, which is reported to
belong to the
K R O'Hair PAGE-73
O'Hair
family, is registered. If it is registered, I would like to know the date and by
whom such registry was effected. I am of the opinion that this coat of arms in
question was first designed about 1910 or 1912 by some artist either in England
or Ireland, by the order of a member of the O'Hair family living in the United
States. I would like to know if it was ever authorized and recorded. One member
of the O'Hair family informed me that this coat of arms is pictured in some book
of registered arms published in England, but I do not now have the name of the
book. Please return this colored picture of the O'Hair arms to me after it has
served your purpose. . .
The Genealogical Office, Dublin Castle, Ireland, gave me a description of the
Haire coat of arms registered there. From the description given by the
Genealogical Office, I requested Heraldic Artists Ltd. of Dublin, to make a
scroll of the arms. I have also enclosed a thermofax copy of the description and
the scroll, as well as a copy of a letter from the Genealogical Office answering
my inquiry regarding registration of such arms. This coat of arms is very
similar to the arms I am questioning in paragraph two. . .
Sincerely,
Karl R. O'Hair
146 E. Wood St.
Box 375
Paris, Ill. U.S.A.
61944
KRO:jh
Encl: 1. R. O. Dennys' letter of 15 Sept. 1969
2. Color copy O'Hair arms in family book
3. Description of Haire arms
4. Copy of Haire arms
5. Genealogical Office letter of 20 Oct. 1969
6. Bank draft - $50.
****************************
K R O'Hair PAGE-74
From R. O. DENNYS, O.B.E. ,F.S.A.
SOMMERSET HERALD OF ARMS
COLLEGE OF ARMS
QUEEN VICTORIA STREET
LONDON, E.C.4
12th January 1970
Mr. K. R. O'Hair,
146 E. Wood Street,
Box 375, Paris,
Illinois 61944,
U.S.A.
Dear Sir,
Further to my letter of 3rd November, the general search of our Official
Registers has now been completed, but I am sorry to have to report that the
results are most disappointing.
The search covered the following records: Tudor and Stuart Funeral Certificates.
All our records of Grants of Arms, from the early 16th century to the present
day. Pedigrees of peers, baronets, knights, commoners. The Heralds' Visitations
of the counties of England (from 1530 to about 1687). Records of changes of
names and Arms. These manuscripts comprise the collection known as our Official
Registers, and the indices to all series of the Registers were examined. In
addition, a search was made in the Irish records, which I will discuss further
on.
In the English records outlined above, I found no record of any family of
O'Hair, O'Hehir, or Haire. There are a number of references to families of Hare
- some forty-five or fifty, all apparently English in origin. A further analysis
can if you wish be made of these, but I doubt if they are relevant to your own
family as they concern families in this country.
A search in the Irish Registers (which are copies of those in the Ulster Office
at Dublin, to which you applied) was also made. This showed no reference to any
family of O'Hair or O'Hehir (although there were
K R O'Hair PAGE-75
several
references for O'Hara}, and no reference to any family of Hair. There was a
reference to Hare, Earl of Listowel, and to Hare, Baron Enniemore.
Only one reference was found to a family of Haire, in 1854. A Confirmation of
Arms, as described to you by the Ulster Office, was made in that year to James
Haire of Armagh Manor, co. Fermanagh. He was the son of Robert Haire of Dublin
and of Armagh Manor, and grandson of James Haire; the Arms were to be used by
all the descendants of James Haire the grandfather. The Arms were: Gules two
Bars on a Chief indented argent a Thistle proper. Crest: a Lion rampant argent
supporting the Roman Fasces proper. Motto: In Te Domine Speravit.
You could not yourself be entitled to Arms or Crest, because you state that your
ancestors had lived in America from 1762 onwards, and no O'Haire Arms in any
spelling are recorded until 1854. Only the descendants of James Haire are
entitled to Arms, and it would not appear that any other family can be so
entitled. It is possible that, before the 1854 Confirmation, the family of Haire
{and perhaps other families of the name} used the Arms of which you sent me a
coloured copy {your enclosure 2 with your letter of 24th October}; but it might
not be possible to confirm this. At the time of the 1854 registration, the Arms
which the family was using without authority were slightly altered, but we do
not know exactly what amendments were made.
If you would be interested in the possibility of further more extensive research
for purely genealogical interest, I shall of course be glad to advise you. It
might however be a lengthy and complex process which would not, in the end, have
enabled us to find out very much about your ancestors in Ireland; you stated
that extensive searches have been made for your ancestor Michael's parents, but
without success.
Alternatively, if you wish to place your pedigree on record in our Registers, I
shall be happy to assist you. I imagine that you have documentary proof of your
descent from Michael O'Hair in the form of birth and marriage certificates,
Wills and so on, and these would of course have to be carefully examined when
K R O'Hair PAGE-76
the pedigree
was presented for registration. The fees for registration (which do not include
any research needed) are $13 per generation not counting collateral
branches of the family.
I am returning herewith enclosures 2, 3 and 4 sent with your letter of 24th
October.
Yours faithfully,
Rodney Dennys
Somerset Herald of Arms
****************************
According to O'Harts "Irish Pedigrees," the O'Hares were progeny of Ir. They
were descendants of Ior who was the 118th descendant of Ir. "The race of Ir,
called Clanna Rudraidh, from Rudhraidh, one of their ancestors, who was king of
Ulster in early times, were chiefly settled in Ulster, of which province
they were kings for many centuries, and several of them also monarchs of
Ireland. The Irians or Clanna Rory, are mentioned by O'Connor and various
writers, under the name of Rudricians, and they continued kings of Ulster to the
fourth and fifth centuries." 5
Additional information follows on the name of Rory: "At the time of Christ, as
said, there reigned over Ulster - residing at Emain Macha (Emania) - a king
noted in ancient song and story, Conor MacNessa. He was a great grandson of Rory
Mor, a powerful Ulster ruler who had become monarch of Ireland, and who was the
founder of the Rudrician line of Ulster Kings. . . Of the line of Ir, son of
Milesius, to whom Ulster had been apportioned, that branch called the
Clanna Rory (after its great founder, Rory, who had been King of Ulster, and
also High-King of Ireland) now had ruled the province for nearly 700 years,
namely for more than 300 years before the Christian Era, and more than 300 years
after." 6
The Reynolds family were of the Clanna Rory. "In the sixteenth century the Mac
Ranal family was located in the county of Leitrim. 'MagRaghnaill or Mac Rannall,
a name anglicised to Reynolds, who were chiefs of Muinter Eoluis. This
territory was sometimes called Conmaicne of Moyrein, and comprised almost the
whole of the present baronies of
K R O'Hair PAGE-77
Leitrim,
Mohill and Carrygallen, in the county of Leitrim, with a portion of the north of
Longford. The Mac Rannalls were powerful chiefs, and are often mentioned in the
course of these Annals. They were of the race of Ir, or Clanna Rory." 7
According to O'Hart's "Irish Pedigrees, "the Reynolds family were related to the
O'Hare family. "O'h-Ir - This surname is derived from Slioght Ir, a branch of
the Reynolds Family. The name O'h-Ir has been modernized O'Hir, O'Hager, O'Hare,
Hare." 8 On tracing the line of Ir, we find that "Eimhin is
#101 on the line of Ir and had three brothers one of them being Biobhsach, who
was the ancestor of MacRadhnaill (anglicised Mac Rannall, Mac Randall,
Macrannell, Reynell, Reynolds." 9
In the study of heraldry, we find that "The most frequent emblem employed in
Irish heraldry is the lion usually depicted in a rampant or commanding attitude,
the idea being no doubt to personify the chief of the clan. In the context of
old Irish literature the Gaelic word 'leomhan' (Lion) is synonymous with a
warrior of godlike demeanour and attributes, and descriptions running to several
pages of such warriors will be found in the Fenian cycle sagas. The standard of
the Craobh Rua or Red Branch knights of Ulster, bore a yellow lion on a green
background - substantially the arms later borne by many of the Clanna Rory septs."
10 In ancient times the O'Hare septs belonged to the Clanna
Rory, and therefore are privileged to use and display the arms of this clan.
Paul Murtaugh, in his book, "Your Irish Coats-of-Arms" published in 1960,
displays the coat of arms applicable to the O'Hare family on plate 12, number
331, which is described in Edward MacLysaght's book, "Irish Families, Their
Names, Arms and Origins," as follows:
Vert a lion rampant between three escallops.
Crest: on a mount a stag couchant proper.
Motto: Favente Deo (By God's Favour).
The motto adopted by the O'Hair family in the United States is, "Von Videri Sed
Esse" (Not to Pretend, But to Be). The description given in Burke's "General
Armory" on page 850, under the name of Reynolds, is identical with the foregoing
as described by Edward MacLysaght.
A drawing of the coat of arms of the O'Hehir family of County Clare, Southern
Ireland, is on file at the British Museum in London. Harlean MMS 4039 contains a
record of
K R O'Hair PAGE-78
arms used by
some 316 Irish clans at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. The British Museum of
London, wrote that MS. 4039 was compiled about 1700.
The coat of arms applicable to the O'Hair (O'Hare) family which is described in
full on the preceding page is displayed in full color in the front of this book.
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