Family Heraldry

	Shepard A statement from the College of Arms History of Heraldry
Payne		Rosborough
	Gunter

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The following is from the Web Site of The College of Arms (http:www.kwtelecom.com/heraldry/collarms/index.html): For additional information on Heraldry, please visit the College of Arms Web Site.

A Statement by Garter King of Arms ~ P L Gwynn-Jones, Esq. LVO MA

Heraldry - The College of Arms

The College of Arms holds the official register of all Coats of Arms or heraldry in England and Wales (the Court of Lord Lyon has jurisdiction in Scotland).

Since the early 15th century, the Sovereign has delegated the power to grant new Coats of Arms to the senior Heralds or Kings of Arms. In 1484 the Heralds were incorporated into the College of Arms which has been on the same site since 1555. Only the King of Arms may make grants or confirmation of Arms. Unless Coats of Arms appear in the official register at theCollege of Arms, they are not authentic and their use in England and Wales is contrary to the Laws of Arms. The register consists of approximately 700 volumes and only a very small proportion of their contents has ever been published.

The Kings of Arms continue to grant new Coats of Arms under the Crown to eligible persons and their descendants and to worthy corporate bodies. Their writ extends to Australia, New Zealand and certain other countries of which the Queen is Sovereign. honorary grants of Coats of Arms may also be made to eligible American citizens who have a proven descent from a British subject.

The College of Arms also houses official genealogies establishing entitlement to existing Coats of Arms by way of descent. Enquiries concerning these should be directed to:

WARNING: There has recently been a spate of shops and other organizations selling heraldic plaques and other items purporting to represent Coats of Arms associated with a specific surname. Their sources are unofficial and unreliable printed works of reference, which are far from comprehensive and contain numerous errors and omissions. There is no such thing as a Coat of Arms for a surname, as Coats of Arms belong only to the original grantees and their descendants in the male line.

26 October 1995