Many genealogists when first starting out are curious to discover a family coat of arms. The myth is every family has one (see our blog post on other genealogical myths). This is true in some cases but not for most of us. For those who do have a coat of arms, it is a wonderful feeling to discover and display. The feeling is even greater if you have a hereditary right to use it.
A coat of arms is a unique shield design for a medieval knight. The design might only apply to this individual during their lifetime or the design could be passed down to the heirs. Coat of arms goes back to medieval times and the Norman invasion of England. The coat of arms becomes more common by the 12th century by knights and feudal lords. Later, distinguished families begin using these designs to fly above their castles (indicating these designs belonged mainly to the upper classes).
A ruling king or monarch would grant a coat of arms to an individual and the governing laws would dictate who had the right to use it. For example, in England, only the person granted the design could use it. Later generations would have to alter it slightly to separate it from the prior generation. In Germanic countries, anyone who accomplished something of a distinguishing nature could be granted one.
There is a different between a coat of arms and a family crest. The crest is actually a part of the coat of arms. It is the object at the top of the coat of arms. It indicates what the original grantee did to receive it. Heraldry is an important part of many country’s past. There are organizations and books that can help the researcher interpret the coat of arms and its’ meaning. You can always develop your own coat of arms, knowing that it is not an ancient one. FamilySearch has a great blog post on the coat of arms with information of finding out if you have one in your ancestral past.
If you have discovered an ancient coat of arms in your family line, let us know in the comments below. How did you find yours? Were you expecting to find one or was it a pleasant surprise?
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