The Shield is: Per pale indented argent and azure two spear heads counterchanged.
The Crest is: None.
The Motto is: None.
Variant spellings for Birmingham are: Bermingham, Bermingam, Berminghan, and Bremigan.
Gaelic spelling: Mac Fheorais, de Bermingham.
'Berminghams Country' referred to in the annals of Irish history, is to be found in the barony of Dunmore in Co. Galway. In Co, Kildare, Castle Carbury served as their stronghold. This family is well noted in historical works from the time of the 12th century Norman invasions.
Of Anglo-Norman descent, the first of record to arrive here was Robert de Bermingham, of Castle Bermingham in Warwickshire. He arrived with Strongbow at the time of the invasions.
The family name is found more often in Leinster and Munster in Irish records, but they are found as well as Lords of Athenry in Connaught. The census of 1659 records the name as a principal one of Kildare, and also in Kings Co., spelled as Bermingham. (Virtually no distinction between different spellings of the name can be made today.)
Of the noted families of the name are the "Lord Barons of Athenry", those of Rahinely, Co. Kildare, and those of Mylestown, Co. Tipperary. The names of these families are found spelled as Bermingam in older records.
A century ago 23 births were recorded under the spelling of Bermingham, and 17 bore the name of Birmingham. At that time the principal locations for the name were Dublin, Kings (Offaly), and Cork counties.
Piers de Bermingham adopted the name of Mac Fheorais, which later changed to Corish, a name subsequently found in counties Galway and Kildare.
Arms for the name are found on plate 6 in the Irish Book or Arms.
Source: The Book of Irish Families Great & Small
Michael C. O'Laughin
1997 Irish Genealogical Foundation
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