Coat of Arms: The History and Traditions of Heraldry

A coat of arms is a heraldic visual design traditionally displayed on an escutcheon (shield), a surcoat, or a tabard. While we often use the term to describe the graphic design itself, the phrase originally referred to the medieval surcoat—a garment worn over chainmail during combat or tournaments to identify the wearer.

In its complete form, a coat of arms is the central part of a heraldic achievement, which may also include supporters, a crest, and a motto. These designs are typically unique to an armiger, which can be an individual, a family, a state, an organization, or a corporation. Because of their distinctiveness, modern heraldry is often compared to the function of corporate logos.

Coats of Arms in the Dering Roll, an English armorial from the 13th century

Key Facts

Origin: Developed among European nobility in the 12th century.
Blazon: The formal, standardized description of a heraldic achievement that ensures consistency in depiction.
Hereditary Nature: By the end of the 12th century, arms became heritable, notably in England during the Third Crusade.
Rolls of Arms: Collections of coats of arms used to trace noble family memberships and genealogy.
Global Reach: While European in origin, heraldic traditions exist in North America, Africa, and are mirrored by independent traditions like Japanese kamon.

The Evolution of Heraldic Traditions

Coat of arms of the province of Utrecht, Netherlands

Systematic heraldry was established by the early 13th century. Initially, designs were personal and could be altered by the nobleman. However, they soon became hereditary markers of lineage. Over time, the use of arms expanded beyond the nobility to include the clergy, towns (as civic identifiers), and chartered organizations such as trading companies and universities.

Brabant Lion held by Floris de Merode during the funeral of Albert VII, Archduke of Austria, print after design by Jacob Franquart

Regional Variations in Europe

Heraldry remained remarkably consistent across Europe despite a lack of universal regulation. Different regions developed distinct approaches:

France: Greatly influenced British and Western European systems. Today, coats of arms are viewed as the intellectual property of families or municipalities.
Britain: In England and Scotland, arms are legal property passed from father to son. To prevent multiple people from using the same "undifferenced" arms, descendants use a difference (such as a color change or a label) to distinguish their branch of the family.
Germany: The traditions of the Holy Roman Empire differed from Gallo-British styles and heavily influenced Nordic heraldry.
Nordic Countries: Arms are widely used by provinces, cities, and municipalities, often appearing on official buildings and documents.

The German Hyghalmen Roll, c. late 15th century, illustrates the German practice of thematic repetition from the arms in the crest

Regulation and Authority

Some nations maintain strict regulatory bodies. In England, the College of Arms controls the granting of arms, while in Scotland, the Lord Lyon King of Arms holds criminal jurisdiction over their use. In Ireland, regulation was historically managed by the Ulster King of Arms until the office was merged in 1943; currently, the Republic of Ireland uses the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland.

Coat of arms of Richard of York, 3rd Duke of York, father of King Edward IV

Global and Institutional Heraldry

Coat of arms of Liptov County in Slovakia

North American Traditions

Canada maintains a formal system through the Canadian Heraldic Authority, with the Governor General delegating the prerogative to grant arms. In the United States, heraldry is most prominent in the Great Seal of the United States, adopted in 1782, which features a shield on the breast of a bald eagle. Many U.S. states also incorporate heraldic devices into their official seals.

The Great Seal of the United States, which displays as its central design the heraldic device of the nation.

Ecclesiastic and State Emblems

The papacy uses a unique system where the occupant combines personal arms with the symbols of the pontifical office, such as the papal tiara and crossed keys. Similarly, Roman Catholic dioceses and basilicas often display their own coats of arms.

The coat of arms of Pope John Paul I displays the papal tiara and crossed keys of the pontifical office.

In the modern era, many nations have adopted emblems that blend European heraldic structures with regional symbols. For example, Arab nations often use the star and crescent or the Eagle of Saladin. Sub-Saharan African nations frequently utilize local wildlife, such as the leopard or black panther, to represent national identity.

Non-European Traditions

Japan possesses an independent tradition of family badges known as kamon (or mon). Dating back to the 7th century, these abstract or floral designs serve a similar purpose to European heraldry but developed entirely separately.

Summary of Heraldic Systems

Comparison of Heraldic Traditions
Region/Entity	Primary Authority/Basis	Key Characteristic
England	College of Arms	Legal property; strictly regulated differences for heirs.
Scotland	Lord Lyon King of Arms	Statutory control with criminal jurisdiction.
France	Intellectual Property	Assumed arms are valid unless proven as copies.
Canada	Canadian Heraldic Authority	Delegated prerogative of the Monarch.
USA	Continental Congress (Great Seal)	Primarily used in national and state seals.
Japan	Family Tradition (Kamon)	Independent, non-European family badges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a coat of arms and a heraldic achievement?

A coat of arms refers specifically to the heraldic design on the shield (escutcheon). A heraldic achievement is the full display, which includes the shield plus additional elements like the crest, supporters, and motto.

What is a blazon?

A blazon is a formal written description of a coat of arms using a specialized vocabulary. This allows any heraldic artist to accurately recreate the design without needing a visual reference.

Can anyone have a coat of arms today?

Yes, though the process varies by region. In some countries, you can apply to an official authority (like the College of Arms in England), while in others, arms are treated as personal or family intellectual property.

How do heraldic arms differ from national flags?

While they often share colors and symbols, they are distinct. A national flag is a piece of fabric used for identification (such as an ensign on a ship), whereas a coat of arms is a formal heraldic device. For example, Scotland's flag is a white saltire on blue, but its royal arms feature a red lion on a gold field.

What are "assumed arms"?

Assumed arms are designs that an individual or family invents and uses on their own, rather than receiving a formal grant from a heraldic authority. In the French tradition, these are generally considered valid unless they are proven to be copies of existing arms.