How to Find Your Family Coat of Arms

The Popular Misconception

Walk into a gift shop or search online, and you will find companies selling "your family coat of arms" based solely on your surname. The truth is more nuanced. In the heraldic tradition, coats of arms were granted to specific individuals, not to entire surnames. Understanding how heraldry actually works helps you research your family's heraldic history accurately rather than buying a meaningless souvenir.

How Heraldry Works

Arms Belong to Individuals

A coat of arms was a design granted to a specific person by a heraldic authority. The right to use that design passed to the grantee's descendants according to rules that varied by country. In England, for example, arms descend through the male line from the original grantee.

This means that not every person named "Johnson" has a right to the same coat of arms. Only the direct descendants of the specific Johnson who received the grant have a legitimate claim.

Key Heraldic Terms

• Coat of arms: The complete heraldic achievement, including the shield, crest, motto, and supporters
• Crest: The design above the helmet, often incorrectly used as a synonym for the entire coat of arms
• Blazon: The formal written description of a coat of arms
• Shield: The central element displaying the heraldic design
• Motto: A phrase associated with the arms, usually displayed on a scroll

Heraldic Authorities by Country

England, Wales, and Northern Ireland

The College of Arms in London has been the heraldic authority since 1484. New grants of arms are still made today.

Scotland

The Court of the Lord Lyon regulates heraldry in Scotland and maintains the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings.

Ireland

The Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland manages Irish heraldry.

Continental Europe

Heraldic traditions and authorities vary widely across European countries. Some have active heraldic offices; others do not.

United States

The United States has no official heraldic authority. There is no government body that grants or regulates coats of arms. However, descendants of European grantees may have legitimate claims to ancestral arms under the rules of the originating country.

How to Research Your Family's Heraldic History

Step 1: Build Your Family Tree

Before you can determine whether your family has a legitimate coat of arms, you must trace your lineage back to the original grantee. This requires standard genealogical research:

1. Verify your direct paternal line back as many generations as possible
2. Identify the specific ancestor who may have been granted arms
3. Confirm the lineage with documented evidence

ActualPeopleSearch can help you identify family members and build your lineage through public records, giving you the foundation needed for heraldic research.

Step 2: Search Heraldic Records

Once you have a detailed family tree, search heraldic records for your specific ancestor:

• Published armorials list recorded coats of arms organized by surname
• Heraldic authority records maintain official registers of grants
• County and family histories sometimes describe heraldic arms associated with local families

Step 3: Verify the Connection

Even if you find a coat of arms associated with your surname, you must verify that the grantee is your actual ancestor, not just someone who happens to share your last name. This requires:

• Matching the grantee's biographical details (dates, locations, occupation) with your family tree
• Tracing unbroken descent from the grantee to yourself
• Understanding the rules of descent for the specific heraldic tradition

Common Myths About Coats of Arms

Myth: Every Family Has a Coat of Arms

The majority of families never had arms granted to any ancestor. Coats of arms were associated with the gentry, nobility, and prominent citizens, not the general population.

Myth: Arms Belong to a Surname

As noted, arms belong to individuals and their legitimate descendants, not to everyone sharing a surname.

Myth: You Can Buy Your Family's Arms

Companies that sell "your family coat of arms" based on surname alone are selling a product with no heraldic validity. The design they sell may have belonged to someone with your surname who has no connection to your family.

Myth: Coats of Arms Are Ancient

While some arms date to the medieval period, many were granted in the 1600s, 1700s, or even more recently. New grants continue to be made in countries with active heraldic authorities.

What You Can Do

• Research honestly. Determine whether your specific lineage connects to a legitimate grant.
• Consider applying for new arms. In countries like England and Scotland, living persons can petition for a new grant of arms.
• Enjoy heraldry as history. Even if your family has no documented arms, studying heraldry enriches your understanding of the social structures your ancestors lived within.

The pursuit of heraldic history is a fascinating branch of genealogy. When approached with accuracy and intellectual honesty, it connects you to the visual language that has represented families and institutions for centuries.