Martin

The Martin Coat of Arms

A Coat of Arms is an emblem or a device which is displayed by titled persons, persons of royal blood, and their descendants.  Coats of Arms were originally used for purposes of identification and recognition on the field of battle as well as in civil life.

It is claimed by some writers that Coats of Arms, in a crude form, were used by Noah's sons after the flood.  There are records of other Coats of Arms, in one crude form or another, at different periods of ancient history.   Heraldry, however, as we know it today, did not become of much importance until soon after the invasion of England by William the Conqueror, A.D. 1066.  Heraldry became of general interest at about the time of the Crusades.

The Martin Coat of Arms shown above is the Arms of the Martins of Galway; Tullyra, Co. Galway; Doebag, Co. Sligo and others.

And official chart in the office of Ulster King of Arms, Dublin Castle, states that the Arms was given to Sir Oliver Martin by Richard Coeur de Leon while in the Holylands.  Sir Oliver was sole companion or Richard during his captivity by the Saracens and accompanied him back to England.  Later he settled in Galway, Ireland.  The Coat of Arms is recorded as in use in 1199 A.D.  Coats of Arms very similar are used by many other branches of the Martin Family.

This is the most widely used of all Martin Coats of Arms.   It is described in BURKE'S GENERAL ARMORY, BURKE'S LANDED GENTRY, BURKE'S PEERAGE AND BARONETAGE and other reliable works on hearldry, in some cases accompanied by illustrations.  The "Martin Genealogy" shows thomas and Samual Martin, who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1828 or 1829, as descended from Sir Oliver and therefore entitled to this Coat of Arms.  It has been used for generations by their descendants and by many other American branches of the Martin family.

Poems written by Barbara D. Martin to her grandfather, Beryl E. Martin (Dec. 8, 1905-Jan. 26, 1990):

Grandpa Martin

You gave me the ability to see

The confidence I have in me.

You gave me strength to count on you.

Not even once, were you not true.

When I had a problem you were always there.

There was never a time you didn't care.

From now on my life will change

Stages of growing rearranged.

Thanks for being by my side

For all the moments I have cried.

Through the years I have been with you

Sharing your different points of view.

Someday, whatever I may be

You led the way to my destiny.

You encouraged me in what I did.

You helped me develop the knowledge I hid.

Before you go I have one thing to say

Thanks for being there all the way.

My future will broaden because of you.

It would have been hard to make it through.

Thank you, Grandpa, for what you have done

For giveing me strength and the knowledge I have won.

I love you.

Grandpa -- The Only One

Flames upon the heated log,

Hidden behind the misty fog.

My mind recalls broken dreams

Where nothing is like what it seems.

I see your face and call your name,

But you disappear behind the flame.

I want you here by my side,

Not in the corners of my mind.

Return to McFarlane Clan Home Page