Coats of arms and family crests can be a fascinating part of your family history. You may have seen one on a relative’s wall, in an old book, or on a souvenir bearing your surname. Before you claim it as your own, though, there is an important question to answer: whose arms were they?
Sharing a last name does not establish a right to the same coat of arms. The College of Arms explains that arms belong to particular individuals and families, rather than surnames. A design associated with your name can be a research lead. It is not proof that your branch descends from its owner.
About the recording: This video and podcast were recorded in 2015. The article below has been updated to correct several historical and inheritance explanations. Heraldry developed in the twelfth century, women can bear arms, and the rules depend on the country and the particular grant.
What Is a Coat of Arms?
A coat of arms is a heraldic design, centered on a shield. Its colors, patterns, and figures identify a person or organization. The broader display around the shield is called an achievement of arms. Depending on the holder’s entitlement, it may include a helmet, crest, mantling, motto, and other elements.
Hereditary heraldry developed in medieval Europe during the twelfth century. Knights used recognizable designs in battle and tournaments, and these designs became associated with particular bearers and their descendants. The shield decorations in the earlier Bayeux Tapestry should not be treated as proof of a fully developed system of hereditary coats of arms.
As heraldry developed, its uses extended beyond the battlefield. Arms appeared on seals, buildings, monuments, and documents. They were also used by civic bodies and institutions. A coat of arms is therefore more than a record of a knight’s military achievements.
Who Had the Right to Use Coats of Arms in Medieval Times?
The answer depends on the place and period. Medieval Europe did not follow one uniform rule requiring every coat of arms to come from a king. Customs and official controls developed over time. It is also misleading to say that only the very highest social classes ever used arms.
Hereditary use developed gradually. It was not created by Richard I during the First Crusade, as the older recording suggests. England and Scotland also have distinct heraldic traditions. You cannot apply one simple inheritance rule to both.
The Legal Use of Coats of Arms Today
Heraldic authorities still grant new arms. A legitimate coat of arms does not have to be ancient. For England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the relevant authority is the College of Arms. Scotland has its own authority, the Court of the Lord Lyon.
These jurisdictions have their own rules. There is no single worldwide law allowing—or forbidding—everyone to adopt the same arms. Nor is a heraldic right simply the same thing as a trademark. If you want to use historic arms, consult the appropriate authority for the family and jurisdiction involved.
What Is the Difference Between a Coat of Arms and a Family Crest?
People often call an entire heraldic design a “family crest.” Strictly speaking, the crest is the device displayed above the helmet. It is one component of an achievement of arms, rather than another name for the shield or the whole display.
A crest may also appear on its own, such as on an engraved object. However, its appearance does not automatically tell you why someone received arms. Heraldic symbols do not all have one fixed meaning. To understand a particular design, look for its original grant and family records.
Laws Regarding Coats of Arms in Use Today
In England and Wales, inheritance normally follows the male line, but that is not the whole story. Women may bear arms by inheritance or by a grant to themselves. In certain circumstances, descent through a heraldic heiress allows her arms to appear as a quartering in descendants’ shields. The College of Arms describes these rules and exceptions.
Small differences called cadency marks can distinguish members of a family. Yet it is incorrect to say that every generation must always redesign the arms. Practices vary, and the exact grant matters.
In Scotland, a person seeking inherited arms generally petitions for a matriculation. This records the person’s place within the family. The Lord Lyon requires proof of the relationship to the original grantee and entitlement under that grant. A matching surname alone is not enough.
For your research, start with the individual who bore the arms. Then work backward through your own documented ancestry. Birth, marriage, probate, and other records can help establish each connection. The College of Arms guidance on proving a right to arms explains why a documented line matters.
The Parts of a Coat of Arms
Not every heraldic display includes every element. When you examine one, look for these features:
- Shield: The central design, with its distinctive colors, patterns, and figures.
- Helmet and mantling: The helmet above the shield and the decorative drapery around it.
- Crest: The device above the helmet, often shown resting on a wreath.
- Motto: A chosen phrase, commonly displayed on a scroll. Its position varies by tradition; it is not always at the top.
- Supporters: Figures beside the shield, when the holder is entitled to them. They are not part of every coat of arms.
Companies That Sell Coats of Arms and Family Crests Today
A surname souvenir can be enjoyable, but ask what the seller is actually providing. Does the company identify the original bearer? Does it supply a source for the design? Has anyone established your descent from that person? A printed surname on a mug or plaque cannot answer those questions.
Some designs sold this way represent genuine historic arms belonging to someone with the same surname. Others are decorative or newly created. In either case, the purchase does not establish your inherited right to use them. Keep the distinction between a keepsake and genealogical evidence clear.
You may also want to create a personal emblem for your family. Before presenting it as an official coat of arms, check the relevant local rules. Record who created the design, when it was made, and why you chose its symbols. That gives future generations an honest account of the tradition.
Whether or not you establish a right to arms, heraldry can lead you to interesting records. An old seal, memorial, or family document may help identify a person or distinguish branches. Treat the design as a clue, test the connection, and let the evidence guide you.
Learn More
British and American Coats of Arms: Free Genealogy Lookups
College of Arms: Inheritance and the Law of Arms
College of Arms: Heraldry Questions and Answers
