One of the first questions many Americans ask when they first become interested in heraldry is, “What is my coat of arms?” The answer is, “You probably don’t have one.” Although probably millions of different coats of arms have been created over the centuries, these still account for only a small proportion of the people who have lived in Europe and European-influenced areas of the Americas and other continents during that period.
To determine whether you do have a right to an existing coat of arms, you must start with solid, objective genealogical research. You work backward, proving and documenting descent from father to son–in almost all heraldic traditions arms descend only in the legitimate male line unless some specific legal action is taken to the contrary. Only when you can prove your descent from a specific individual who can be shown to have borne arms can you honestly lay claim to those arms.
But how do you know if a specific individual bore arms? The answer depends on the country in which he lived. Follow the links below for resources to help determine whether your ancestor was entitled to arms in his country of origin.
NOTE: Remember that the appearance in any of these resources of someone with the same family name as yourself is NOT proof of your right to his arms. You MUST be able to prove your direct descent in the male line from that specific person to make such a claim.
This page is still under construction as we create more guides for various national heraldic traditions.
England
Scotland
Organizations Promoting the Study of Heraldry and its Associated Fields
The New England Historic Genealogical Society (American Ancestors)
The N.E.H.G.S., more commonly known as American Ancestors is a non-profit dedicated to historical preservation and education in the fields of Genealogy and Heraldry. In September of 2024 they were the host of the 36th International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences in Boston. They are the parent organization of the N.E.H.G.S. Committee on Heraldry, the oldest private, non governmental heraldic body in the world. and For more information please visit their website.
The Heraldic Institute
The Heraldic Institute is headquartered in Germany and is dedicated to promoting the artistic and cultural aspects of heraldry by bringing together a community of experts in the various heraldic traditions of western Europe and the Americas. They appoint both research and artist fellows (several of whom are AHS Members) from around the world to assist in the aims of the institute. For more information please visit their website.
International Heraldic Societies
The Royal Heraldry Society of Canada
The Royal Heraldry Society of Canada and its numerous local branches make up the large heraldic community within Canada. They work closely with the Canadian Heraldic Authority to promote heraldic education and use across the provinces and territories of their nation. They publish two journals and their local branches offer a number of great resources on North American Heraldry. For more information please visit their website.
The Heraldry Society, U.K.
The Heraldry Society, UK is the leading organization for the study of heraldry in the United Kingdom, with emphasis on England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. They publish The Coat of Arms, a scholarly journal issues twice yearly, with many of its articles available online. For more information please visit their website.
The Heraldry Society of Scotland
The Heraldry Society of Scotland is one of two organizations in Scotland dedicated to heraldic education and the preservation of Scotland’s historic heraldry; and they maintain a close relationship with the offices of Lord Lyon King of Arms. They publish The Double Tressure, a scholarly journal issued quarterly. For more information please visit their website.