Walshe Family Crest beer glass

Here’s a proper gift for anyone called Walshe who enjoys a beer! The Walshe Family Crest on a sturdy 16oz pint glass. Beautifully illustrated. Carefully researched. Uniquely personal.

Marking Life’s Milestones: Splendidly suited for the moments that call for a proper toast. Whether it’s a proud landmark birthday, a Father’s Day surprise, or a meaningful wedding gift to honour a new beginning, this isn’t just glassware—it’s an instant heirloom.

Because this is my own surname, this artwork holds a deep personal significance for me. My fascination with heraldry didn’t begin in a library or archive—it started on the walls of my parents' busy family shop, Máire and Ambrose Walsh’s, located in Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland. Our family name varied over time; sometimes ending with an 'e', sometimes not, and occasionally people called us Welch rather than Walsh, which always irked my mother.

Growing up, the shop sold a variety of items: newspapers, books, magazines, greeting cards, sweets, and cigarettes. But what truly captured my attention was a map of Ireland hanging on the wall, framed by traditional family crests.As a child, I was curious about them and had opinions about what elements I thought looked quite nicely done, and also which ones didn't seem to make much sense.

Our family crest, featuring a swan pierced by an arrow, always struck me as deeply poignant—white swans were a familiar sight during my childhood in Westmeath. It wasn’t until I learned the historical significance behind this striking image that my appreciation for it grew profoundly.

Decades later—after attending art college (NCAD) and a long career as a graphic designer—the vivid memory of that map in our family shop sparked a creative journey. This passion led me to redraw these historic emblems from the ground up, culminating in the creation of this Family Crests Store website. Researching and recreating these artworks deepened my respect for a largely forgotten visual language of symbolism that was widely understood by the often illiterate people of medieval times.

The symbolism of the Walshe coat of arms

The Walshe family crest features a swan—a symbol of eternal love, as swans mate for life—pierced by an arrow through its breast. In heraldry, this imagery represents being pierced or transfixed by a profound love (or the loss of it), as well as resilience in the face of hardship and adversity. The white background of the shield symbolizes peace and sincerity. The arrowheads indicate readiness for battle, while the red chevron (meaning ‘rafter’ in French) signifies safety and protection. The Walsh family motto, ‘Transfixus sed non mortuus,’ translates to ‘Pierced but not dead.’

Origin of the Walshe name

The surname Walshe—an anglicized form of Breathnach—is of Irish origin meaning ‘Briton’ or ‘Welshman’. This name carries a rich historical legacy in Ireland. The earliest known reference dates back to 1171, when Haylen Branach, son of Phillip the Welshman, joined Strongbow’s invasion of Ireland.

In early Anglo-Norman records, the name appears as Walensis, Waleys, le Waleys, then in its Irish forms as Brenagh, Bretnagh, Breathnach, and by the 1500s commonly anglicized to Walsh, Walshe, Welch, Branagh, Brannagh, among other variants.

By the 1300s, variants of this name were firmly rooted in strongholds across southeast Ireland, particularly in Kilkenny, Laois, and Waterford. Notable families included the ‘Walshes of the Mountains’ from Castlehale in Kilkenny, Walshes of Carrickmines in Dublin, Walshes of Ballykileavan in Laois, and of Ballyrichmore in Waterford.

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 and uniquely personal gifts for any occasion with family and friends.

Product details:
• Glass material
• Volume: 16 oz (473 ml)
• Not dishwasher or microwave recommended – hand wash only.

Size guide