Sir Oliver Martin of Athelhampton

Martin / Martyn Family

Arms. Azure,a calvary cross, on five degrees argent, between the sun in splendor, on the dexter limb, and the moon in crescent, on the sinister.

Crest. An etoile wavy, of six points.

Motto. Auxilium meum a Domino. (My help cometh from the Lord)

The Martin family arrived in Ireland with Strongbow, became important merchants and one of the Tribes of Galway. They subsequently moved into the County, leaving fine seats at Ballinahinch, Dangan, Ross, Spiddal and Tulira. The Martin family is of early origin in Galway. Their pedigree relates, that Oliver Martin was the first of the name, that settled in Ireland. He that he was a follower of Strongbow, and the name Martin was derived from Martius, warlike. Some researchers, however, are of opinion, that they were of ancient Irish descent. O'Brien and Vallancey, say, "they are derived from the Belgian firbolg, or Martini, (Ir. Mairtinigh), names which still exist in the Cities of Limerick and Galway." Richard Martin of Dangan or Ballinahinch Castle, is descended from the eldest branch of this family, and the houses of Curraghmore, Ross, Spiddal and Tullyra are numbered amongst the most respectable in this Province.