Heraldry began in the early middle Ages.  There is some division between scholars as to where it originated.  If you ask a Britt, they'll say it's Norman.  If you ask a German, there is also good evidence that it originated in the Holy Roman Empire.

Heraldry in the UK is the most regimented form.  But different rules exist in other parts of the world.

In the UK, Arms are the personal possession of a specific individual or his first son.  All other arms are difference by cadence markings (different charges placed in the upper part of the shield to signify where in the birth order you fall).  In Germany, on the other hand, Arms belong to a family group.

Other rules may differ from country to country.  In the U.S.A. Arms have no legal protection (other than copyright Laws).  In other countries they may be registered, such as Germany,  and are protected by law. In parts of the UK, one can be put on trial for using someone's Arms which were granted to them.  So you see it makes a difference where you live and have Arms from.  And above all you shouldn't use someone else's arms just because your last name is the same.

Some Heraldry references can be found on-line in the Download Section. Each month there will be another download of the month related to Heraldry.

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