What’s in a name, and a coat of arms?
WHAT’S in a name? A fair bit, according to my 1904 copy of the Atlas and Cyclopedia of Ireland, a bulky tome that graces my bookshelf. View the book's index to names, coats of arms and mottoes by clicking here. This book’s greatest feature is the colour plates in the front depicting the coats of arms of “the leading Irish families”. A few pages later are the mottoes - where applicable - translated from Latin inscriptions on the coats of arms. Many familiar names pop up in these pages. Ludicrous Lion from Living Island (left), Australian…