Family coats-of-arms are symbolic, highly stylized graphic representations that relate to a specific individual or a particular family name. They originated in Europe during the early Middle Ages, coming into full use during the colorful and often bloody feudal period. Medieval knights used their heraldic coats-of-arms to quickly and easily identify themselves to friends and foes during tournaments and battles. For example, a cloth surcoat or tunic decorated with his coat-of-arms was worn over a knight's armor. And his shield, helmet and pennant or banner were painted with heraldic design elements from his coat-of-arms. The highly visible and recognizable coat-of-arms quickly became a symbol that was inextricably linked to the knight and, over time, evolved into a family coat-of-arms: an identifying symbol of his family members as well.



Just what do the Symbols in a Family Coat-of-Arms Mean?

Typically, very specific symbolic devices, colors and patterns were combined to create a family coat-of-arms. Each of these components tells a part of the story of the family that the coat-of-arms belongs to, The designs of many family coats-of-arms originated hundreds of years ago, with some being even older. The design elements of these ancient coats-of-arms were usually based on some long-ago specific heroic deed or significant event that occurred during a family's history, and were stylized, visual depictions of those deeds and events.

But because of the passage of hundreds of years, the details underlying the design have sometimes been lost in the mists of history. As a result, the underlying meaning of a specific family coat-of-arms can be a bit murky and difficult to decipher. Even when the symbolism is undecipherable, however, family coats-of-arms are meaningful to their owners because of their link to the past, and their sense of history and tradition.

An Interesting Detail About Family Coats-of-Arms:

Because of their historic significance and their link to the nobility, use or display of a family coat-of-arms is frequently, although not always, governed by law. In those countries which regulate their use, a coat-of-arms is legal property, and only certain individuals - the owners and sometimes their relatives - are entitled to use or display a specific family coat-of-arms. Stationery, jewelry, wall hangings and plaques, china and other tableware, and other decorative items incorporating a family coat-of-arms may only be used by the legal owners of the coat-of-arms in these countries.

The display of family coats-of-arms is unregulated in other countries, and anyone may use or display them for any reason whatsoever, even people that are not related in any way to the family that the coat-of-arms relates to. Because they are always beautifully designed and striking in appearance, family coats-of-arms are often used in jewelry and for home decor in these countries. But regulated or not, family coats-of-arms are beautiful symbols of the past, linking us to a more noble time.