Coat of arms

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This article is about the main element of a heraldic achievement, although "coat of arms" is
often erroneously used to refer to its whole[1][2]. For the whole heraldic symbol, see Achievement
(heraldry). For the albums, see Coat of Arms (Sabaton album) and Coat of Arms (Wishbone
Ash album).

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A coat of arms is a heraldic visual design on an escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat,

or tabard. The coat of arms on an escutcheon forms the central element of the
full heraldic achievement which in its whole consists of: shield, supporters, crest,
and motto. A coat of arms is traditionally unique to an individual person, family,
state, organization or corporation.
Rolls of arms are collections of many coats of arms, and since the early Modern
Age centuries they have been a source of information for public showing and tracing the
membership of a noble family, and therefore its genealogy across time.

Part of a series on

Heraldic achievement

External devices in addition to the central coat of arms

Coat of arms

(emblazoned onto

an escutcheon)

Supporter

Supporter

Slogan (battle cry)

Crest
 Torse

Mantling

Helmet/Galero

Crown/Coronet

Compartment

Order

Motto

 Heraldry portal

 v
 t
 e

Contents

 1History
 2Regional traditions
o 2.1French heraldry
 o 2.2British heraldry
o 2.3Irish heraldry
o 2.4German heraldry
o 2.5Scandinavian heraldry
o 2.6Other national traditions
o 2.7North American
 3Ecclesiastic heraldry
 4Flags and banners
 5Modern national emblems
 6Comparable traditions outside of Europe
 7See also
 8Notes
 9References
 10External links

History[edit]
Main article: History of heraldry

See also: List of oldest heraldry

Heraldic designs came into general use among European nobility in the 12th century.
Systematic, heritable heraldry had developed by the beginning of the 13th century.
Exactly who had a right to use arms, by law or social convention, varied to some degree
between countries. Early heraldic designs were personal, used by individual noblemen
(who might also alter their chosen design over time). Arms become hereditary by the
end of the 12th century, in England by King Richard I during the Third Crusade (1189–
1192).[3][4]
Burgher arms are used in Northern Italy in the second half of the 13th century, and in
the Holy Roman Empire by the mid 14th century. In the late medieval period, use of
arms spread to the clergy, to towns as civic identifiers, and to royally chartered
organizations such as universities and trading companies. The arts of vexillology and
heraldry are closely related.
The term coat of arms itself in origin refers to the surcoat with heraldic designs worn by
combatants, especially in the knightly tournament, in Old French cote a armer. The
sense is transferred to the heraldic design itself in Middle English, in the mid-14th
century.[5]
Despite no widespread regulation,[citation needed] heraldry has remained consistent across
Europe, where tradition alone has governed the design and use of arms. [6][citation needed] Some
nations, like England and Scotland, still maintain the same heraldic authorities which
have traditionally granted and regulated arms for centuries and continue to do so in the
present day. In England, for example, the granting of arms is and has been controlled
by the College of Arms. Unlike seals and other general emblems, heraldic
"achievements" have a formal description called a blazon, which uses vocabulary that
allows for consistency in heraldic depictions. In the present day, coats of arms are still in
use by a variety of institutions and individuals: for example, many European cities and
universities have guidelines on how their coats of arms may be used, and protect their
use as trademarks.[7][8] Many[citation needed] societies exist that also aid in the design and
registration of personal arms.

Brabant Lion by Floris de Merode, Baron of Leefdael during the solemn Funeral of Albert VII, Archduke of
Austria

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

Heraldry has been compared to modern corporate logos.[9]