the
O'Donnchadha
(a.k.a. Donahue
Donaghue
Donahoe, etc.)

COAT OF ARMS


The Chief-Style shield (divided horizontially 1/4 from the top) stands for Authority, Wisdom and Victory in battle. 

The armoured arm holding a sword denotes fitness for leadership in battle.

The color green stands for loyalty in love.

The fox and the snake stand for wisdom in defense.

The eagle with wings outstretched stands for Protector.  (The black eagle could mean to the death.)
Our Coat(s) of Arms
The Donahue name comes from the personal name, Donnchadha, which is anglicized to Dongh, and later misspelled in all its variants.  The O' in front means "son of".  Like how "Peterson" stems from being the son of Peter.  They descend from a twelfh century king of Munster who took part in the battle of Clontarf.  It is his son, Donnchadh, that we are named after.  Their most enduring territory was Cork and Kerry, Galway, Kilkenny and Cavan