Coats of Arms

Heraldry, the use and study of Coats of Arms, dates back to the Middle Ages and is still a flourishing aspect of daily life. We have forty years' experience in all fields of heraldry. We can:

  • Make searches to see if there is a coat of arms associated with your family name and present the results in the form of a Plaque or Heraldic Surname History.

  • Identify a Coat of Arms on an artefact, to find out whose it was.

  • Help Register your right to use a Coat of Arms with the Heralds.

  • Produce Heraldic Artwork for those whose right to use arms has been registered.

  • Search for a coat of arms associated with your surname and produce a Certificate of Arms.

  • Assist those seeking a Grant of Arms.

Coats of Arms
Coats of arms have been granted to individuals and corporations as personal identifying insignia since the Middle Ages. Within Great Britain, their use is controlled strictly by the Heralds, who work under the authority of Her Majesty the Queen. We can advise on all aspects of this fascinating subject, and also on the use of personal heraldry abroad.

Registering a pedigree
To use a coat of arms for personal identification you must prove that you are descended in the male line from someone to who arms were granted. Achievements can research your male-lineal ancestry and, if such an entitlement can be found, we can register your descent with the Heralds and obtain permission for you to use the arms yourself.

Grants of Arms
If you are not descended from someone to whom arms were granted, we can help you obtain a grant of new armorial bearings from the Heralds. Our service includes designing appropriate arms and overseeing the petitioning process. This service is available to private individuals and corporations.

Heraldic Artwork
Once you are entitled to use a coat of arms, the opportunities for heraldic artwork are limitless. We can supply library paintings, bookplates, flags, blazer badges and much else besides. We can also hand scriven your pedigree and decorate it with your personal armorial bearings, thus creating an heirloom which will be cherished for generation.

Identifying a coat of arms
Coats of arms and crests appear in many places, in paintings, on furniture, gravestones and so on. We can research these to identify them and uncover the story behind the artefact. Our reports can add great interest and value to such artefacts, making the service equally popular with private owners of heraldic artefacts, museum curators and antique dealers.

Artwork
Click here for further examples of the artwork we create to illustrate your family tree.

 

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