Quote Originally Posted by MacWage
I hate to say it,


BUT Cajunscot is right.


WARNING: be VERY CAREFUL around heraldry. It is VERY alive and well in MANY nations, who DO NOT look well at Americans "stealing" arms and "impersonating" a persons identity. Yes, to use arms that are not yours is seen as Identity Theft in some nations, and is prosecutable as such.

What's that supposed to mean -- "you hate to say it?"

Most scholars of heraldry today would rather see Americans "assume" arms (i.e. ones not "granted" by a heraldic governmental authority like the Lord Lyon or the Canadian Heraldic Authority) than "usurp" the arms of someone with the same surname. And Americans can always register arms -- with the American College of Heraldry, and at one time, Spain, Russia and South Africa would register arms as well -- though Spain and Russia's current status is in question at the moment. The New England Genealogical and Historical Society will also register American arms.

Cheers,

Todd