AssumeArms.com - Welcome!
elcome to AssumeArms.com,
the best source for designing your own Coat Of Arms. We have a national
database registry that we offer to anyone for free. If you already have
arms, please register them with us, again, it's free. We are also an affordable,
custom design house, NOT one of those places where you buy someone else's arms because
they have the same last name as you do. We have free tools to help you
design arms on your own or, if you
purchase
arms from us, we will design your Coat Of Arms from scratch for a modest
price. We can design a Coat of Arms for individuals, educational institutions (like
colleges and private schools), corporations and private and civic groups like the
York or Scottish Rites of the Free Masons, who are big fans of heraldry. Now let's
look at the basics...
Coat Of Arms Overview - Myths & Misconceptions
ere are some
of the most common myths and misconceptions that revolve around what people commonly
refer to as a
Coat of Arms. They are more properly called an
Armorial Achievement,
Armorial Bearings or more recently
and simply,
Arms for short. But because the term "Coat Of Arms"
is so common and often the subject of a Google search, on our menus and elsewhere,
we will also refer to them as a Coat of Arms.
Myth #1 - Arms Are Related To A Family
ar none, the
biggest misconception is that arms belong to, or are related to, a family. This
has never been the case, and any place that will sell you the "Richards" family
arms are complete bunk and selling junk. Armorial achievements are ALWAYS made for
a specific person (click
here
to see my armorial achievement) or organization and are completely unique to that
individual or entity. It is true that they can be passed down from one generation
to the next, but they are almost always modified when that happens.
Myth #2 - You Must Register Or Be "Granted" Your Arms
robably the
second largest myth is that the Coat of Arms must be "Registered" with a government
agency before you assume or bear arms. While this is quite true in England and can
be downright criminal in Scotland, the USA has no such governing or granting body.
ANYONE may assume arms (hence the website name) in the United States regardless
of ancestry, social status or rank. The main reason for this is that we, as Americans,
do not believe in class hierarchy. Anyone in our society may work their way to whatever
status they are willing to achieve by hard work and merit alone.
Myth #3 - You Must Follow Specific Rules
his leads us
straight into the last of the major myths: That there are specific rules as to what
you may and may not put on your
escutcheon,
crest,
torse,
helm,
mantling,
compartment
and/or
supporters, or even if
you may have supporters or mantling. Because there is no governing body, there are
no rules and you may be as unique as you please. If I or one of our heralds design
you an Armorial Achievement, we will advise you on the history and traditions of
heraldry (e.g. the placing of two metal colors on top of each other is not wise
for contrast reasons) but we will never say "you are not allowed to have an affonty
facing helmet unless you are a knight" or any other such dogmatic phrase.
Summary Of American Arms
s an American,
you have a right to design and bear any Armorial Achievement you'd like and that
is why we are here. As a graphic designer, armiger and lover of heraldry in general,
I am here to help you make that happen. You may register any arms that you wish
here for FREE, whether we designed them or not by clicking on "
Register
Arms." If you'd like to do a free search of our Coat Of Arms database, you
may do so by clicking "
Search Arms." If you do not yet
have a Coat Of Arms, but would like to get started designing one, click on "
Design
Arms" to get an idea of what you want and then click on "
Purchase
Arms" and we'll get started right away. If you have questions at any
time, go to "
Contact Us" and we'll get you
a quick answer. This is a public respository available to anyone and everyone at
no cost. I do this for love of it and only make money when and if design services
are rendered. The only rule we do have is that your Coat Of Arms must be unique
to you and we will assist you as much as possible to make that happen.
Yours In Arms,
Michael C. Richards
Executive Director
AssumeArms.com