[cajunscot]

Originally Posted by Iolaus

You make very good points, and I don't want anyone to think I disrespect tradition wholesale. As I've told you in the past, I value the traditionalist point of view because I try to incorporate those aspects of tradition that work with my personal sense of style.

We're not at odds here, we just belong to two different branches of the same family. ;)

Here, let's share a beer.

Guid on ya, sir! Someday I hope to be able to return the favour!

Slainte!

Todd

[highlander_Daz]

Todd i know that Heraldry is one of your passions, In Britain there are many scams where you can buy "your" familys cota of arms, and you see many people buying into this, Ive always maintained that coats of arms are specific to braches rather than whole familys, whats your thoughts on this?
Daz

[Moosehead]

Coats of Arms belong to individuals.

[davedove]

I've always understood that a coat of arms belongs to an individual, who keeps it until he dies, at which point it is inherited by another individual.

[Big Dave]

From what I understand the coat of arms changes from family to family, within the same blood line. It means two brothers of the same blood would have two different coat of arms. Check this site out. http://www.fleurdelis.com/meanings.htm

[cajunscot]

Originally Posted by highlander_Daz

Todd i know that Heraldry is one of your passions, In Britain there are many scams where you can buy "your" familys cota of arms, and you see many people buying into this, Ive always maintained that coats of arms are specific to braches rather than whole familys, whats your thoughts on this?
Daz

Daz:

I tend to follow the Scottish way of thinking on this: coats-of-arms belong to individuals, not all who bear the same surname. You see the same scam here (although not all who peddle arms are doing it for malicious reasons); in heraldic circles we call them "bucket shops". Since there is no American Heraldic authority, there is really no way to do away with them, so "let the buyer beware". I dealt with this on an almost daily basis as a genealogical librarian, with patrons looking for the "family crest"; alas, there is "no such creature", although I should point out that not all nations have such rigid laws and customs regarding heraldry as Scotland and the other nations of the British Isles.

Of course, heraldic experts are not beginning to state that Americans are free to "assume" arms without an official grant from a heraldic authority like the Lord Lyon, the College of Arms in England, etc. Many Americans are "registering" arms with Russia, South Africa, Spain, the New England Genealogical Society, etc.

I personally like the symbolism of the chief's crest badge (the misnamed "clan badge"), so I tend to follow that.

Yours aye,

Todd

[cajunscot]

Originally Posted by Big Dave

From what I understand the coat of arms changes from family to family, within the same blood line. It means two brothers of the same blood would have two different coat of arms. Check this site out. http://www.fleurdelis.com/meanings.htm

This is an example of a "bucket shop" -- try this site instead:

http://www.heraldry-scotland.co.uk/index.htm

T.