Martin Family Crest mug - Irish orign

The Martin Family Crest mug - Irish orign. Beautifully illustrated. Carefully researched. Uniquely personal.

Eminently suited for a proper brew! Whether it’s a gift to mark a milestone birthday, a new home, or Christmas morning — here’s an artwork with history in your hands.

symbolism of the Martin coat of arms

According to Martin family lore, this coat of arms was granted in the late 1100s by King Richard I ("The Lionheart") of England. The story goes that Oliver Martin—the original ancestor who came to Ireland during the Norman invasion—traveled with King Richard to the Holy Land during the Crusades. In recognition of his valor, the King allegedly granted him these distinct arms featuring the Calvary cross. 

Modern historians treat the Crusader origin story as a romantic myth invented centuries later to boost the family's prestige. In reality, the coat of arms dates from the late medieval period as the Martins grew into a wealthy merchant aristocracy in Galway. The earliest physical evidence of these exact arms exists on architectural stone carvings, town gates, and family tombs throughout Galway City, dating primarily from the 1400s to the early 1600s. For instance, the Galway City Museum houses a famous stone fireplace keystone from a Martin family home carved with these exact elements, dated 1641.

The formal heraldic blazon describes a blue shield (Azur) featuring a silver Calvary cross (Argent) standing on three steps, positioned between a golden sun in splendor on the left and a crescent moon on the right. Above the helmet, the crest consists of a single six-pointed gold star. Within the framework of medieval heraldry, a Calvary cross mounted on steps denotes religious devotion or ancestral participation in the Crusades. The sun and moon are standard celestial charges utilized to indicate permanence, stability, and navigation, while the blue field traditionally designates the virtues of loyalty and consistency.

historical figures

The lineage is directly tied to Richard Martin (1754–1834) of Ballinahinch Castle, an Irish Member of Parliament nicknamed "Humanity Dick" by King George IV for his pioneering work in legislative reform. He co-founded the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and authored the Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822, which stands as the first animal protection law enacted by a Western parliament. The family line also includes Violet Florence Martin (1862–1915) of Ross House, a prominent novelist who wrote under the pen name Martin Ross and co-authored the widely read Somerville and Ross literary series, which documented late nineteenth-century Irish society and rural life. And of course there is Micheál Martin — An Taoiseach.

Each coat of arms in the Family Crests Store is an artwork by heraldic artist Éamonn Breathnach. All are carefully researched, drawing from the earliest available records across multiple heraldic archives. Noted for their elegance and attention to detail, these artworks make meaningful gifts for family occasions.

Product details

• High quality white ceramic mug with the family crest printed two sides
• Dishwasher and microwave safe
• 15 oz mug dimensions: 4.7″ (11.9 cm) in height, 3.3″ (8.5 cm) in diameter

No Warehouses. No Waste. Just for you, made to order.

This product is printed especially for you when ordered, one at a time, by royal decree of Mother Nature to keep the realm beautiful. Family Crests Store guarantees your custom treasure meets all EU and USA safety standards.

About the artist

Each coat of arms in the Family Crests Store is an artwork by heraldic artist Éamonn Breathnach. All are carefully researched, drawing from the earliest available records across multiple heraldic archives. Noted for their elegance and attention to detail, these artworks make meaningful gifts for family occasions.

Don’t see your family name?

I’m always happy to add new crests to the collection, so please get in touch if you can’t find what you're looking for. ⚜️