{"product_id":"smith-family-crest-mug-irish-origin","title":"Smith Family Crest mug - Irish origin","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(6, 102, 102);\"\u003eA \u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(1, 45, 45);\"\u003eSmith Family Crest \u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(6, 102, 102);\"\u003emug\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e—a perfect gift for family and friends. Beautifully illustrated. Carefully researched. Uniquely personal. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(4, 68, 68);\"\u003eEminently suited for a proper brew, it makes a deeply meaningful gift for milestone birthdays, Father’s Day, a new home, or Christmas morning.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSymbolism of the Irish Smith family crest\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3\"\u003eThe earliest description of this coat of arms comes from Sir Bernard Burke’s The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. This master reference work compiled the historical records preserved by the Ulster Office of Arms at Dublin Castle, which has managed official Irish family records since 1552. These archives preserve a long-standing historical tradition explaining the unique symbols on this shield: the ancient Chief of the O'Gowans (McGowans) successfully commanded his clan during a major battle fought entirely in the dark. To navigate and defeat the enemy, the clan used portable braziers of burning coals and torches from their blacksmith forges. This nighttime victory directly inspired the family’s Latin motto displayed on the banner below, Tenebras expellit et hostes, which translates to \"He drives forth the darkness and the foe.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003eOrigin of the surname Smith in Ireland\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe modern Irish surname \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"25\"\u003eSmith\u003c\/b\u003e is an anglicization of the ancient Gaelic \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"73\"\u003eMac an Ghabhainn\u003c\/i\u003e, which literally translates to \"son of the blacksmith.\" The clan traces its ancestry back to their namesake progenitor, \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"210\"\u003eAengus an Gobhain\u003c\/b\u003e (\"Angus the Smith\"). Over time, this original Gaelic name also phonetically evolved into \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"317\"\u003eMcGowan\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3\"\u003eHistorically, the MacGowans served as chiefs in Dalriada, a principality in eastern Ulidia. They established their primary ancestral seat in County Cavan before expanding across the northern provinces of Ulster and Connacht. However, following the 12th-century Anglo-Norman invasions in eastern Ireland, they were driven further into Donegal, Cavan, and Sligo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003eAs English administration tightened its grip on Ireland over the centuries, the surname split. Many branches chose to translate the name directly into English variants like \u003cb data-index-in-node=\"173\" data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003eSmith\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb data-index-in-node=\"183\" data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003eSmyth\u003c\/b\u003e, while other families preserved the traditional Gaelic sound, retaining the name \u003cb data-index-in-node=\"270\" data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003eMcGowan\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"6\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(6, 102, 102);\"\u003e\u003cb data-index-in-node=\"416\" data-path-to-node=\"6\"\u003eAbout the artist\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eProduct details\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-quality white ceramic mug\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDishwasher and microwave safe\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e15 oz mug dimensions: 4.7″ (11.9 cm) in height, 3.3″ (8.5 cm) in diameter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLead and BPA-free materials, complying with US and EU safety standards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"table-responsive dynamic\" data-unit-system=\"imperial\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(6, 102, 102);\"\u003eNo Warehouses. No Waste. Just for you, made to order.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis product is printed especially for you when ordered, one at a time, by royal decree of Mother Nature to keep the realm beautiful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(98, 4, 4);\"\u003eDon't see your family name?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf you'd like a name added to the collection, please get in touch.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Family Crests Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54640290398553,"sku":"5555470_4830","price":21.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0820\/2669\/2953\/files\/white-glossy-mug-white-15-oz-handle-on-right-683392389319c.jpg?v=1748210245","url":"https:\/\/familycrests.store\/products\/smith-family-crest-mug-irish-origin","provider":"Family Crests Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}