Is there a coat of arms for my surname?
Why a coat of arms belongs to a person rather than a surname, what the mugs and plaques get wrong, and how to have a design of your own instead.
The short answer
Usually, no. In the heraldic traditions of England, Scotland and Ireland, a coat of arms was granted to an individual and passed to particular descendants. It was never the property of everyone who happens to share a surname. A shop selling the arms of your name is selling the arms of somebody who once had it.
Why the surname plaques exist
Historical design reference, presented by Fable; not a grant of arms or a new personal design.
Many surnames have one or more historic arms associated with someone who bore that name. Sellers pick one and print it for everyone called Smith or Murphy. It may be a beautiful design, like this plate of lions supporting a shield, but it is not yours by right of your surname.
Family crest and coat of arms
People say family crest when they mean coat of arms. Strictly, the crest is the figure on top of the helmet, and the arms are the shield. Our story on family crest or coat of arms explains the parts.
Official arms today
In England, arms are granted by the College of Arms. In Scotland the Court of the Lord Lyon regulates heraldry. In Ireland the Chief Herald of Ireland grants arms. In many other countries, including the United States, there is no heraldic authority, and people simply design and adopt emblems of their own.
A design of your own
A design made with Fable Heraldry: a decorative emblem, not a grant of arms.
That last path is what Fable offers: a new decorative crest drawn from your own family’s story, like the Hartley shield with its oak and stag. It is yours because it is about you, not because you share a name with somebody. It is not a grant of arms and makes no claim of descent.
Start
The preview is free. Tell Fable your family’s name and a few lines about where you come from and what you love.