It is thought that the earliest maker of the Claddagh ring was a Galway goldsmith named Joyce who worked in gold and silver until around 1730.

There are many conflicting stories associated with the Claddagh ring. Gaelic literature throws no light on the mystery of the emblems origin. There are a few variations of the Claddagh ring, the heart supported by the hands and found crowned is the true traditional Claddagh. The use of the joined hands denotes friendship, the heart denotes charity and the crown loyalty.

The name Claddagh bears the same name as the town in County Galway. However, the ring is found to have been worn the whole way across the Galway county. They were kept as heirlooms with great pride and used as a wedding ring.