We’ve all seen symbols of heraldry, such as the coats of arms (Game of Thrones, anyone?) or family crests offered online, but are they authentic or of use today? Long ago, coats of arms and crests were typically granted to individuals, not families, so finding your surname on a crest would be very rare. It’s fun to fantasize that we are descendants of an ancient and noble aristocracy, and entitled to all of the benefits and privileges afforded therein, but that’s just not the case for most of us.
The use of family crests by European nobility was common in medieval times, and coats of arms would have been displayed on the shields carried into battle by the knighthood of the era, but it would be extremely unusual to be granted the use of those crests and coats of arms today. In fact, most of the versions that are sold online today are entirely made up by the seller, and are in no way affiliated with your surname.
But never fear! You can always create your own, and why shouldn’t you have fun doing it? Today, virtually every successful corporation has a recognizable company brand and trademark. Even the smallest family-owned business probably has some sort of identifying logo. God knows, I’ve designed a few gems!
Here’s the coat of arms that I designed for myself:
Click on a link below to see the lovely variety of Maritime regional insignia:
- Nova Scotia Coat of Arms
- Prince Edward Island Coat of Arms
- New Brunswick Coat of Arms
- Newfoundland and Labrador Coat of Arms
Learn more about coats and crests from these sources:
