Coat of arms

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A coat of arms is a heraldic visual design on an escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard.
The coat of arms on an escutcheon forms the central element of the full heraldic
achievement which in its whole consists of shield, supporters, crest, and motto. A coat of arms
is traditionally unique to an individual person, family, state, organization or corporation.
The Roll of Arms is a collection of many coats of arms, and since the early Modern
Age centuries it has been a source of information for public showing and tracing the
membership of a noble family, and therefore its genealogy across time.

Part of a series on

Heraldic achievement

Conventional elements of coats of arms

Escutcheon

Chief

Field
(Tincture)

Division

Supporter

Supporter

Slogan (battle cry)

Crest

Torse

Mantling

Helmet/Galero
Crown/Coronet

Compartment

Order

Ordinaries

Charges

Motto

Dexter

Sinister

(right)

(left)

Heraldry portal

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 Contents

 1History
 2Regional traditions
o 2.1French heraldry
o 2.2British heraldry
o 2.3Irish heraldry
o 2.4German heraldry
o 2.5Scandinavian heraldry
o 2.6Other national traditions
o 2.7North American
 3Ecclesiastic heraldry
 4Flags and banners
 5Modern national emblems
 6Comparable traditions outside of Europe
 7See also
 8Notes
 9References
 10External links

History[edit]
Main article: History of heraldry
See also: List of oldest heraldry
Heraldic designs came into general use among western nobility in the 12th century.
Systematic, heritable heraldry had developed by the beginning of the 13th century. Exactly who
had a right to use arms, by law or social convention, varied to some degree between countries.
Early heraldic designs were personal, used by individual noblemen (who might also alter their
chosen design over time). Arms become hereditary by the end of the 12th century, in England
by King Richard I during the Third Crusade (1189–1192).[citation needed][3]
Burgher arms are used in Northern Italy in the second half of the 13th century, and in the Holy
Roman Empire by the mid 14th century. In the late medieval period, use of arms spread to the
clergy, to towns as civic identifiers, and to royally chartered organizations such as universities
and trading companies. The arts of vexillology and heraldry are closely related.
The term coat of arms itself in origin refers to the surcoat with heraldic designs worn by
combatants, especially in the knightly tournament, in Old French cote a armer. The sense is
transferred to the heraldic design itself in Middle English, in the mid-14th century.[4]
Despite no widespread regulation,[citation needed] heraldry has remained consistent across Europe,
where tradition alone has governed the design and use of arms.[5][citation needed] Some nations,
like England and Scotland, still maintain the same heraldic authorities which have traditionally
granted and regulated arms for centuries and continue to do so in the present day. In England,
for example, the granting of arms is and has been controlled by the College of Arms.
Unlike seals and other general emblems, heraldic "achievements" have a formal description
called a blazon, which uses vocabulary that allows for consistency in heraldic depictions. In the
present day, coats of arms are still in use by a variety of institutions and individuals: for
example, many European cities and universities have guidelines on how their coats of arms
may be used, and protect their use as trademarks.[6][7] Many[citation needed] societies exist that also
aid in the design and registration of personal arms.

Brabant Lion by Floris de Merode, Baron of Leefdael during the solemn Funeral of Albert VII, Archduke
of Austria

The German Hyghalmen Roll, c. late 15th century, illustrates the German practice of thematic repetition
from the arms in the crest

Heraldry has been compared to modern corporate logos.[8]

Regional traditions[edit]
French heraldry[edit]
Main article: French heraldry
The French system of heraldry greatly influenced the British and Western European systems.
Much of the terminology and classifications are taken from it. However, with the fall of the
French monarchy (and later Empire) there is not currently a Fons Honorum (power to dispense
and control honors) to strictly enforce heraldic law. The French Republics that followed have
either merely affirmed pre-existing titles and honors or vigorously opposed noble privilege.
Coats of arms are considered an intellectual property of a family or municipal body. Assumed
arms (arms invented and used by the holder rather than granted by an authority) are
considered valid unless they can be proved in court to copy that of an earlier holder.
British heraldry[edit]
Main articles: English heraldry, Scottish heraldry, and Welsh heraldry

Arms of the Duke of Richmond c.1780

Coat of arms of Sir Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby, KG

In the heraldic traditions of England and Scotland, an individual, rather than a family, had a
coat of arms. In those traditions coats of arms are legal property transmitted from father to
son; wives and daughters could also bear arms modified to indicate their relation to the current
holder of the arms. Undifferenced arms are used only by one person at any given time. Other
descendants of the original bearer could bear the ancestral arms only with some difference:
usually a colour change or the addition of a distinguishing charge. One such charge is
the label, which in British usage (outside the Royal Family) is now always the mark of an heir
apparent or (in Scotland) an heir presumptive. Because of their importance in identification,
particularly in seals on legal documents, the use of arms was strictly regulated; few countries
continue in this today. This has been carried out by heralds and the study of coats of arms is
therefore called "heraldry". In time, the use of arms spread from military entities to educational
institutes, and other establishments.[6]
In Scotland, the Lord Lyon King of Arms has criminal jurisdiction to control the use of arms. In
England, Northern Ireland and Wales the use of arms is a matter of civil law and regulated by
the College of Arms and the High Court of Chivalry.
In reference to a dispute over the exercise of authority over the Officers of Arms in
England, Arthur Annesley, 1st Earl of Anglesey, Lord Privy Seal, declared on 16 June 1673
that the powers of the Earl Marshal were "to order, judge, and determine all matters touching
arms, ensigns of nobility, honour, and chivalry; to make laws, ordinances, and statutes for the
good government of the Officers of Arms; to nominate Officers to fill vacancies in the College of
Arms; to punish and correct Officers of Arms for misbehaviour in the execution of their places".
It was further declared that no patents of arms or any ensigns of nobility should be granted and
no augmentation, alteration, or addition should be made to arms without the consent of the Earl
Marshal.
Irish heraldry[edit]
Main article: Irish heraldry
In Ireland the usage and granting of coats of arms was strictly regulated by the Ulster King of
Arms from the office's creation in 1552. After Irish independence in 1922 the office was still
functioning and working out of Dublin Castle. The last Ulster King of Arms was Sir Nevile
Rodwell Wilkinson [Ulster King of Arms 1908–1940], who held it until his death in 1940. At the
Irish government's request, no new King of Arms was appointed. Thomas Ulick Sadleir, the
Deputy Ulster King of Arms, then became the Acting Ulster King of Arms. He served until the
office was merged with that of Norroy King of Arms in 1943 and stayed on until 1944 to clear
up the backlog.
An earlier Ireland King of Arms was created by King Richard II in 1392 and discontinued
by King Henry VII in 1487. It didn't grant many coats of arms – the few it did grant were
annulled by the other Kings of Arms because they encroached upon their jurisdictions. Its
purpose was supposedly to marshal an expedition to fully conquer Ireland that never
materialized. Since 1 April 1943 the authority has been split between the Republic of
Ireland and Northern Ireland. Heraldry in the Republic of Ireland is regulated by
the Government of Ireland, by the Genealogical Office through the Office of the Chief Herald of
Ireland. Heraldry in Northern Ireland is regulated by the British Government by the College of
Arms through the Norroy and Ulster King of Arms.
German heraldry[edit]

Coat of arms of the city of Vaasa, showing the shield with the Royal House of Wasa emblem, a crown
and a Cross of Liberty pendant.

Main articles: German heraldry, Norwegian heraldry, Swedish heraldry, Danish

heraldry, Finnish heraldry, and Icelandic heraldry
The heraldic tradition and style of modern and historic Germany and the Holy Roman
Empire — including national and civic arms, noble and burgher arms, ecclesiastical heraldry,
heraldic displays, and heraldic descriptions — stand in contrast to Gallo-British, Latin and
Eastern heraldry, and strongly influenced the styles and customs of heraldry in the Nordic
countries, which developed comparatively late.[9]
Scandinavian heraldry[edit]
In the Nordic countries, provinces, regions, cities, and municipalities have coats of arms. These
are posted at the borders and on buildings containing official offices, as well as used in official
documents and on the uniforms of municipal officers. Arms may also be used on souvenirs or
other effects, given that an application has been granted by the municipal council.
Other national traditions[edit]

Coat of Arms of Liptov County in Slovakia.

Main articles: Spanish heraldry, Russian heraldry, Portuguese heraldry, Hungarian

heraldry, Polish heraldry, and Dutch heraldry
At a national level, "coats of arms" were generally retained by European states with
constitutional continuity of more than a few centuries, including constitutional monarchies
like Denmark as well as old republics like San Marino and Switzerland.
In Italy the use of coats of arms was only loosely regulated by the states existing before
the unification of 1861. Since the Consulta Araldica, the college of arms of the Kingdom of
Italy, was abolished in 1948, personal coats of arms and titles of nobility, though not outlawed,
are not recognised.
Coats of arms in Spain were generally left up to the owner themselves, but the design was
based on military service and the heritage of their grandparents. In France, the coat of arms is
based on the Fleur-de-lys and the Rule of Tinctures used in English heraldry as well.
North American[edit]
Main articles: Canadian heraldry and United States heraldry

The Great Seal of the United States, which displays as its central design the heraldic device of the
nation.
The Queen of Canada has delegated her prerogative to grant armorial bearings to
the Governor General of Canada. Canada has its own Chief Herald and Herald Chancellor.
The Canadian Heraldic Authority is situated at Rideau Hall.[10][11] The Great Seal of the United
States uses on the obverse as its central motif an heraldic achievement described as being the
arms of the nation.[12] The seal, and the armorial bearings, were adopted by the Continental
Congress on 20 June 1782, and is a shield divided palewise into thirteen pieces, with a blue
chief, which is displayed upon the breast of an American bald eagle. The crest is thirteen stars
breaking through a glory and clouds, displayed with no helm, torse, or mantling (unlike most
European precedents). Only a few of the American states have adopted a coat of arms, which
is usually designed as part of the respective state's seal. Vermont has both a state seal and
a state coat of arms that are independent of one another (though both contain a pine tree, a
cow and sheaves of grain); the seal is used to authenticate documents, whilst the heraldic
device represents the state itself.

Ecclesiastic heraldry[edit]
Main article: Ecclesiastical heraldry

The coat of arms of Pope John Paul II displays the papal tiara and crossed keys of the pontifical office.

The Vatican City State and the Holy See each have their own coat of arms. As the papacy is
not hereditary, its occupants display their personal arms combined with those of their office.
Some popes came from armigerous (noble) families; others adopted coats of arms during their
career in the Church. The latter typically allude to their ideal of life, or to specific pontifical
programmes.[13] A well-known and widely displayed example in recent times was Pope John
Paul II's arms. His selection of a large letter M (for the Virgin Mary) was intended to express
the message of his strong Marian devotion.[14] Roman Catholic dioceses are also each
assigned a coat of arms, as are basilicas or papal churches, the latter usually displaying these
on the building. These may be used in countries which otherwise do not use heraldic devices.
In countries like Scotland with a strong statutory heraldic authority, arms will need to be
officially granted and recorded.

Flags and banners[edit]

Main article: Heraldic flag
Flags are used to identify ships (where they are called ensigns), embassies and such, and they
use the same colors and designs found in heraldry, but they are not usually considered to be
heraldic. A country may have both a national flag and a national coat of arms, and the two may
not look alike at all. For example, the flag of Scotland (St Andrew's Cross) has a
white saltire on a blue field, but the royal arms of Scotland has a red lion within a
double tressure on a gold (or) field.

Modern national emblems[edit]

Main article: Armorial of sovereign states
Further information: Socialist heraldry and Coats of arms and emblems of Africa

Egyptian coats of arms showing common Near and Middle Eastern motifs, namely the crescent and stars
which are symbols of the region's predominant religion, Islam, and Saladin's eagle.

Among the states ruled by communist regimes, emblems resembling the Soviet design were
adopted in all the Warsaw Pact states except Czechoslovakia and Poland and Karelia. Since
1989, some of the ex-Communist states, as Romania or Russia have reused their original pre-
communist heraldry, often with only the symbols of monarchy removed. Other countries such
as Belarus and Tajikistan have retained their communist coats of arms or at least kept some of
the old heraldry.
With the formation of the modern nation states of the Arab World in the second half of the 20th
century, European traditions of heraldry were partially adopted for state emblems. These
emblems often involve the star and crescent symbol taken from the Ottoman flag. Another
commonly seen symbol is the eagle, which is a symbol attributed to Saladin,[15] and the hawk of
the Qureish.[citation needed] These symbols can be found on the Coat of Arms of Egypt and Syria.
African flags and emblems after decolonisation often chose emblems based on regional
traditions or wildlife. Symbols of a ritual significance according to local custom were generally
 favoured, such as the leopard in the arms of Benin, Malawi, Somalia, the Democratic Republic
of the Congo and, in the form of the black panther, of Gabon.
In Kenya, the Swahili word Harambee (lit. "Let us come together") is used as a motto in the
country's coat of arms. In Botswana and Lesotho, meanwhile, the word Pula (lit. "Rain") is used
in like fashion.
In the coat of arms of Swaziland, a lion and an elephant serve as supporters. They are each
intended to represent the king and the queen mother respectively, the nation's joint heads of
state.

Comparable traditions outside of Europe[edit]

See also: Mon (emblem) and Tamga

Imperial Seal of Japan

Japanese emblems, called kamon (often abbreviated "mon"), are family badges which often
date back to the 7th century, and are used in Japan today. The Japanese tradition is
independent of the European, but many abstract and floral elements are used.

See also[edit]

 Heraldry portal

 Arms of assumption
 Gallery of country coats of arms
 National emblem
 Seal
 List of coats of arms
 Baron and feme
 Siebmachers Wappenbuch (Coats of arms from German-speaking regions)

Notes[edit]
1. ^ A.G. Puttock, A Dictionary of Heraldry and Related Subjects, Exeter 1985. Blaketon
Hall. ISBN 0907854 93 1. P. 40
2. ^ Stephen Friar (ed.), A New Dictionary of Heraldry, London 1987. Alphabooks/A&C
Black. ISBN 0-906670-44-6. P. 96.
3. ^ McDonald, James (1 October 2010). "International Heraldry". Castles and Manor Houses.
4. ^ etymonline.com
5. ^ A New dictionary of heraldry. Friar, Stephen. Sherborne: Alphabooks.
1987. ISBN 0906670446. OCLC 16094741.
 6. ^ Jump up to:a b "Educational Institute Coat of arms". October 2005. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
7. ^ "Policy on use of the Workmark and Insignia of McGill University" (PDF). 2000. Archived
from the original (PDF) on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
8. ^ Employee Identification with the Corporate Identity International Studies of Management and
Organization, Volume 32, Number 3, 2002 "Group Identity Formation in the German
Renaissance". 20 August 2002. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
9. ^ Volborth, Carl-Alexander von (1981). Heraldry: Customs, Rules and Styles. Poole, England:
Blandford Press. ISBN 0-7137-0940-5. ISBN 0-7137-0940-5 p.129.
10. ^ "The History of Heraldry in Canada". Royal Heraldry Society of Canada. 28 April 2004.
Archived from the original on 6 March 2009. Retrieved 21 August 2008.
11. ^ "The Canadian Heraldic Authority". Canadian Heraldic Authority. 2015. Retrieved 26
August 2015.
12. ^ "2004 Seal Broch" (PDF). July 2003. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
13. ^ "Coat of arms of His Holiness Benedict XVI". 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
14. ^ "Vatican press office". 9 June 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
15. ^ "Coat of Arms (Eagle of Saladin)". Macaulay Honors College. 5 April 2011. Retrieved 19
August 2015.

References[edit]
 Pimbley, Arthur Francis (1908). Pimbley's dictionary of heraldry. Pimbley.

External links[edit]
 College of Arms: Repository of the coats of arms and pedigrees of English, Welsh,
Northern Irish and Commonwealth families and their descendants together with, and in
principle under the control of, the legal body the Court of Chivalry, both medieval in origin.
 The Court of the Lord Lyon: the statutory heraldry office for Scotland
 Royal Dutch Library page for the "Wapenboek Beyeren" written by Claes Heynenzoon
around 1400, containing over 1000 drawings of coats of arms
 General armorial of noble families in the Russian Empire (Gerbovnik)

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