Heraldry is a Continental European invention not native to only the English, French or Germans. Each country established it's own standards for identification and the Armorial bearings were, of course, designed to identify warriors on the field of battle.

Traditionally in the rules of Heraldry, the Coat of Arms stood for an individual, not a family, and in order to use an ancestor's Coat of Arms one would have had to prove a hereditary link and a small change would be made on the Coat of Arms. Coats of Arms are still considered in other countries to be mainly for individual usage and it is usually the eldest son who will adopt and add his own particular change to the blazon.

BLAZON This Ranstad Coat of Arms is a shield of blue with a viking longship and a dragon's head joined by the chain links. This indicates a joining of two family blazon's into one by the bearer. Given the codes of chilvalry whereas the Lady was paramount, the bearer would place a portion of his mother's blazon in the upper left hand corner and his father's in the lower right, then adding the chain, or links, to signify his blazon was a joining of the two families.

"Truly a shield that stands for a family notable as having been rewarded with authority for their generosity and loyalty to king and country and their political ingenuity in maintaining a peaceful and harmonious order."

The Knight's Helm
Indicates that the original bearer of the blazon was an belted knight, the red cord on his helm signifies his knighthood was the result of valor on the field of battle. I find the helm particularily appropriate since I also have the distinct honor of being a duly appointed Knight Chevalier, Knights of the Order of Michael the Archangel.

The Dragon's Head
Initially this dragon's head, from my Mother's ancestral blazon, bore a bloody hand in it's mouth, signifying the family had a member who, although knighted, also had the dubious honor of be known as a thief. Given that he chose to use the dragon's head and bloody hand as his blazon, it is questionable whether this was true.

The Viking Longship
From my father's ancestral blazon, in this case it signifies his lineage being traced back to a village called Riksgransen, based on grave sites dating back to 732 a.c. bearing the name "Raanstaadt". Historical records indicate that this village was a "raider's site". Meaning it was one, among many, of the places where the Vikings left on their travels, and of course, raids.

The Chain
Used to signify a joining of two family blazon's into one. This was a common practice of the oldest son when designing his own particular crest wherein he would take something from his Mother's and something from his Father's, to make a blazon unique to only him.

The Color Blue
Commonly used to signify the Sea, which in our case I find most appropriate given my father's lineage and my 20-years of service in the United States Navy.

The Family Motto

Family Page

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