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POLISH SURNAMES
Posted On : 07/25/2013
One of the most treasured reference books we have at www.shieldandcrest.com is Herbarz Polski. Compiled by H.Stupnicki in 1855, it is a comprehensive list of Polish surnames and their link to a particular coat of arms (Family Crest). It wasn’t until the 1400’s that the Polish nobility began to use family names. Soon a system of Clan names arose in which Clans would contain many different family names, some of them based toponomically on the village or area the bearer came from. In time, each Clan developed their own particular coat of arms, which became the arms of all thos.......View More
IRISH SURNAMES IN THEIR ORIGINAL FORM
Posted On : 07/22/2013
I get lots of calls on the Shield And Crest Toll-Free line (866-289-2798) from folk with Irish names who worry about the difference between, for example, O’Connor, Connor, Connors, MacConnor, and Conor. The truth is that all those names are anglicized versions of the original Irish language name O’Conchobhair ( Pronounced O’ Cro-huir). In 1366 the English Crown passed The Statutes Of Kilkenny, which, among it’s many provisions, outlawed the official use of the Irish language ( Gaelige) in the colony. The decline of the language continued throughout the centur.......View More
MacDonalds and Campbells
Posted On : 06/10/2013
These venerable clans have been at loggerheads for centuries in the Highlands of Scotland. After King William of Orange defeated King James and assumed the English monarchy, he offered pardons to all the Scottish Clans which had opposed him in favor of James. It seems that the MacDonald Clan were a wee bit tardy in pledging their allegiance to the new King and his Minister for Scotland, John Dalrymple, organized a plan to deal with them-harshly. On February 13th 1692, Dalrymple’s plan was put into effect by the Campbells at Glencoe. The MacDonalds were invited to the area for .......View More
HERALDIC SUPPORTERS
Posted On : 04/18/2013
Supporters are figures or animals, placed on either side of the shield area of a coat of arms. (Family Crest) Sometimes they are the same on each side, other times there is a different image of either side. Woodward & Burnett, writing in “A treatise on heraldry” declared that “Supporters are figures of living creatures placed at the side, or sides, of an armorial shield and appearing to support it. Originally, it is thought that supporters arrived with the invention of the engraver. Artists would fill in the blank areas at each side of the shield with fanciful imag.......View More
THE HERALDIC SERPENT
Posted On : 04/04/2013
The serpent occurs quite often in coats of arms (Family crests) from England and Ireland. Some believe the snake was used as a symbol of wisdom, however it may well have been a reference to medicine and doctors. To this day, the Caduceus, a metal rod (sometimes with two wings) entwined with two snakes, is a common heraldic symbol used by hospitals and surgeries as a trade mark. In continental European heraldry, the serpent is more often depicted like a dragon or other heraldic monster. It is not uncommon to find a snake shown with wings and a crown. In Italian heraldry, serpents are sh.......View More
BUYING A COAT OF ARMS GIFT?........HERE ARE SOME TIPS
Posted On : 03/26/2013
A coat of arms (Family crest) gift is one of the best ways to celebrate someone’s family name, and all the history attached to that name. The arms may date back over eight hundred years and some of them contain enough information in the design of the shield to formulate the story of the grant of arms. Many potential customers, however, seem believe that as long as they can see the coat of arms they wish to have in an image online, then everything is hunky dory. In some cases, they often find a decent result, in some cases not so much. Check it out yourself. The part of the coat o.......View More
LIST OF HERALDIC SYMBOLS AND THEIR MEANINGS- L Through Z
Posted On : 03/20/2013
LAMB- Normally painted with the staff and flag is the emblem of Christianity. LANCE- Denotes one in active service as a knight. LARK- An ancient symbol of eloquence. LAUREL- Sometimes shown in a wreath, is the emblem of triumph. LEGS IN ARMOR- The emblem of The Isle Of Man, seen also on the arms of MacLeod. LEOPARD- Emblematic of a valiant warrior. LILY- The regular kind, is the symbol of purity. LION- Regarded as the noblest of all the wild beasts, making it the symbol of strength and valor. The best known heraldic symbol. LIZARD- An emblem of vigilance. LOC.......View More
LIST OF HERALDIC SYMBOLS AND THEIR MEANINGS. A Through K
Posted On : 03/20/2013
ABYSS- The honor point of the shield, the very center. ACORN-The symbol of plenty, also used in coats of arms as a pun on the name (Canting arms) ANCHOR- The emblem of hope, usually painted with a rope attached. ANNULET- A ring, the symbol of strength. The Roman symbol of Liberty. ANT- Also known as the Emmet, patience and forethought. ANTELOPE- The symbol of peace and harmony, the heraldic antelope is unlike it’s cousin in the zoo or safari park. The body of a stag with the tail of the Unicorn and fearsome horns. APE and MONKEY- Used to signify sagacity. The cr.......View More
BATTLE SHIELDS AND COAT OF ARMS – THE STORY WITHIN
Posted On : 03/20/2013
The charges ( animals, divisions, etc.) depicted on a coat of arms (family crest) can sometimes be the result of great family legends and stories. One of the best comes from the Scottish family name Cunningham. The story dates back to Duncan ( 1001-1040) the first King of Scotland, who was murdered by Macbeth. Duncan’s son Malcolm Canmore, being chased by Macbeth’s forces, hid in the barn of Malcolm Friskin. Friskin hid Canmore by heaping layers of straw over him with a pitchfork to hide him. When the Macbeth army arrived at Friskin’s farm he denied having seen Canmor.......View More