Skip to content
Joanne Genealogy

Joanne Genealogy

Genealogist, Family Historian & Research Support

Menu
  • Welcome to the website
  • About
  • Ongoing Projects
    • Alstonefield, Staffordshire
    • Landmarks
    • Kenyon: As part of the DNA Project
  • Support Services
    • Packages Available:
    • 10 Tips on starting your Genealogy business
    • Resource Hub
  • Contact
  • Blog
    • Staffordshire Day 2022
    • Book recommendation
    • Ancestry’s Ethnicity Inheritance Tool
    • 10 Useful Resources for Researching Your House History
    • On the search: Military records
    • Unlocking the past with the 1921 Census
    • The 1921 Census is here!
    • Armistice Day – The Cenotaph
    • Library resouces for local studies
    • New Academic Year & Getting Organised!
    • Battle of Britain Day
    • Benefits of Mentoring in Genealogy
    • Latin Transcriptions – Part 1
    • Your DNA
    • End of Term Review
    • Learning about Heraldry
    • HRH The Duke of Edinburgh 1921-2021
    • Happy Lancashire Day!
    • Generations Relationship Chart
    • Recommended Books for November:
    • Recommended books for December
Menu

Learning about Heraldry

Posted on 29 May 20216 October 2021 by joannegenealogy

The art of heraldry has always been fascinating. I’ve bought books and taken photo’s of shields and coats of arms for many years. But only recently, through my MSc course at the University of Strathclyde, I have been studying the description of the arms, called blazoning.

Heraldry with its blazoning, is like learning another language. The official descriptions of each coats of arms, including the shield, crest, mantling, supporters and motto’s, give the identity of the arms without the need for an image. Similarly blazoning can be used to identify arms and the bearers name and Peerage.

The Shield

The shield is described from the viewpoint of the person holding the shield. The Dexter side is the right side (left of the image) and the Sinister side on the left (right side of the image):

Figure 1: Description of the shield. [1]

Coats of Arms

The coat of arms combines features of the shield with other images and each arms are unique to the bearer:

Figure 2: Description of the Coat of Arms [2]

An individual is awarded arms either by hereditary means, traditionally given to the sons and heirs of the holder (although females can also receive arms if no male heir, and apply for their own arms). Arms can also be applied for through the Royal College of Arms in England & Wales and the Court of the Lord Lion for Scottish arms.

There is no such thing as a family coat of arms and thus it cannot be adopted just because of a common surname. There are stall holders, companies and websites that sell ‘coats of arms’ but these are not official and in no way relate to a family unless proof of ancestral links are submitted and the arms granted through the official routes (College of Arms for England & Wales and the Court of the Lord Lion for Scotland).

Similarly, companies, groups and organisations can apply for a coat of arms but these must meet certain criteria through the official routes and grants.

Royal arms are often seen on coinage and at official ceremonies such as the State Opening of Parliament.

References:

[1] [2] The Heraldry Society, London. https://www.theheraldrysociety.com/about-heraldry/the-coat-of-arms/

Facebook Page

Recent Posts

  • BlogLocal History

    Staffordshire Day 2022

  • BlogFamily HistoryGenealogyLocal History

    Book recommendation

Please subscribe to receive the latest news and Blogs


Loading

joannegenealogy

📚📚 My weekend reading 📚 keeping me busy 📚📚 #genealogy #familyhistory #Strathclyde #MSc #research #studentlife #business
Anyone else remember having Manchester tart with t Anyone else remember having Manchester tart with their school dinners? I tried to make one, it turned into a vanilla slice, still  brought back good memories #Manchester #history #foodhistory
Today's the day! The 1921 Census has now been rele Today's the day! The 1921 Census has now been released. Read all about how to search and what will be included here in my latest blog. #genealogy #1921Census #familyhistory https://joannegenealogy.co.uk/1921-census/
Brighter skies this afternoon. Our lane is just ab Brighter skies this afternoon. Our lane is just about passable, just need a little bit of sunshine to help it on its way #bramshall #staffordshire #snow #sunshine
Love this place, a hidden gem in Stafford 🫖🍰 Love this place, a hidden gem in Stafford 🫖🍰☕
Great to see such a good display of WW1 medal pict Great to see such a good display of WW1 medal pictures in Shrewsbury's Parade Shopping Centre #shrewsbury #shropshire #ww1history #Genealogy
Great afternoon visit to Hanley Park today as part Great afternoon visit to Hanley Park today as part of the Heritage Open Days #hanley #visitstaffordshire #heritage #heritageopendays #staycationuk
Had a great day out in Shrewsbury, will be back ve Had a great day out in Shrewsbury, will be back very soon #shrewsbury #shrewsburycastle #shropshire
A walk is good for the mind, the soul and the legs A walk is good for the mind, the soul and the legs 🚶‍♀️ #littleheywood #canal #Staffordshire
H is for... Holidays. Prince of Wales Bridge spann H is for... Holidays. Prince of Wales Bridge spanning the Bristol Channel in the fog #lovewales #staycationuk #localhistory
Horse in the sunshine at #nantwich #canal Horse in the sunshine at #nantwich #canal
Saturday wanderings #cheshire #nantwich #localhist Saturday wanderings #cheshire #nantwich #localhistory
Your DNA. #Genealogy #dna #ancestors Your DNA. #Genealogy #dna #ancestors
Love Chester #Chester #localhistory #heritage Love Chester #Chester #localhistory #heritage
Beautiful weather in Nantwich today #cheshire #sum Beautiful weather in Nantwich today #cheshire #summer #staycation
Not everyday we have one of these at the end of th Not everyday we have one of these at the end of the drive #history #heritage #steamengine
After a good bit of fresh air, time left to set so After a good bit of fresh air, time left to set some goals for the week ahead #britishcountryside #Staffordshire #excerise #focus #JKVPA #goalsetting #worklifebalance #canalwalk
Victorian street lamp #chester #history Victorian street lamp #chester #history
Lovely few days away #lovewales #aberystwyth #bort Lovely few days away #lovewales #aberystwyth #borth #relax #sundayvibes
Garden pottering today (bumper harvest on it's way Garden pottering today (bumper harvest on it's way!)
Load More… Follow on Instagram

Follow me on Twitter

@Twitter Feed
© 2022 Joanne Genealogy | Powered by Superbs Personal Blog theme