Above are just a few basic descriptors of items you may find on a coat of arms
Please note that these websites are not arranged in any particular order and some of them are not available in English.
Please note that these websites are not arranged in any particular order and are only a sample of website available on this subject.
Various examples of the Lion Rampant. This symbol was used to indicate great courage or valour, and was often used as a symbol of a great warrior or chief.
There is a temptation for many family historians to want to lay claim to a Coat of Arms for their family name. However an understanding of Heraldry and its rules of application are necessary before any such usage can be correctly made.
Heraldry began in the 12th century, probably in response to the wearing of helmets with armour, which made recognition of leaders more difficult. Use of a coat of arms on a banner, shield or coat made distinguishing between men in armour possible. Heraldic bearings became hereditary as the son of the original feudal lord retained the original pattern to guide his followers into battle.
Coats of Arms can be found in many European countries, including Poland, Hungary, France and Germany.
Armorial bearings usually belong to an individual, and usually may rightfully be used by the male-line descendants of the individual to whom they were granted or first allowed. In this way, not everyone with a particular surname can lay claim to the use of a coat of arms. It is necessary to trace one's male-line ancestry back as far as possible and then examine the official records of the heraldic authority concerned.
Books in our collection that may assist you in tracing heraldic and armorial information in Europe
Armorial universe (in French)
Armorial général ; précédé d'un Dictionnaire des termes du blason (in French)
Rietstap, J. B. Armorial general (in French)
V. & H. V. Rolland's Supplement to the Armorial général by J.B. Rietstap (in French)
Planches de l'Armorial général de J.-B. Rietstap (in French)
Dictionnaire et armorial des noms de famille de France
Dizionario storico-blasonico delle famiglie nobilienotabili Italiane, estinte e fiorenti
Elenco ufficiale nobiliare italiano
Enciclopedia storico-nobiliare italiana ... : Supplemento : Saggio di bibliografia araldica italiana
I motti delle famiglie italiane
Motti araldici editi di famiglie italiane
The genealogy and heraldry of the noble families of Malta
The genealogy and heraldry of the noble families of Malta. Volume 2
A key to Maltese coats of arms
Herbarz polski Kaspra Niesieckiego S.J (pedigrees for Poland - in Polish)
The Library holds an extensive collection of books on heraldry. These can be found by searching under the subject Heraldry in the Library's catalogue database.