"The Furs" Marks of Dignity in the original bearer of arms
Ermine Ermines Erminois Pean Vair Countervair Potent Counterpotent Gyron Fusilly Fretty Masculy
Coat of Arms "Lines and Designs" of Heraldry
Chief Fesse Pale Cross Chevron Bend Saltier Pile
Bordure Canton Barry Flaunches Checky Coupeaux Dovetailed Tressure
Barry Wavy Pall Quarter Bar Raguly Dancetty Embattled Indented
Symbolism of Colors for your Coat of Arms:
Silver (Argent)= Purity
Gold (Or)= Generosity
Red (Gules)= Warrior; Military Strength
Blue (Azure)= Symbol of the Soul symbolizing Truth & Loyalty
Green (Vert)= Hope, Joy & Loyalty in Love
Black (Sable)= Constancy (reliability)
Purple (Purpure)= Royalty
Orange (Tawyny or Tenne)= Worthy Ambition
Maroon (Sanguine or Murray)= Patience in battle
Historic Coat of Arms Symbolism of Charges:
Acacia Branch/Leaves = Eternal
& Affectionate Remembrance
Acorn = Antiquity &
Strength
Agriculture Tools = Labouring
in the Earth
Alerion (Eagle without
claws/beak) = One injured in battle
Alphyn = Ferocity
Anchor = Hope
Angel = Dignity, Glory &
Honour or a Missionary
Annulet (Ring) = Truth &
Fidelity
Ant = Great Labour &
Wisdom
Antelope (Mythical) = Beware
to all beholders (Traditional) = Action, Agility & Sacrifice; A worthy
guardian that can be fierce when challenged
Antlers = Strength &
Fortitude
Anvil = Honour & Strength,
Emblem of the smith's trade
Apple = Felicity & Peace;
Temptation
Arm = Industrious Person
Arm in Armour = Leadership
Qualities
Arrow = Readiness for
Auk = Supernatural Power
Axe = Execution of Military
Duty
Badger = Tenacity &
Protection
Bagwyn = Action, Decisiveness
& Guardianship
Banners = A Reward for Valiant
Service
Bat = Facing of One's Fears,
Darkness & Chaos
Baton = Token of Authority
Bay Leaves = Poet or Victor's
Laurels
Beacon = One who is Watchful,
Signaler of Danger
Bear = Strength, Cunning,
Ferocious in Protection of Kin
Beaver = Industry &
Perseverance
Bee = Efficient Industry
Berries = Felicity & Peace
Bezant/Besant (
Billet = denotes a man who
obtained credence, knowledge and faith in his words and deeds and was secret in
his affairs
Bird's Claw = The preyer upon
others has been preyed upon
Bittern = Symbol of Stratagem;
Bad Luck
Black Bird = Bad Omen, but 2
Black Birds are a good omen
Bloodhound = Representative of
the Hunt
Boar = Bravery, Fights to the
Death
Boar's Head = Hospitality
Boat = Notable expeditions by
sea, by which the bearers became famous. Symbolizes commerce, travel,
initiation and warfare
Bomb or Mortar = One who has
used this weapon in battle
Bones = Mortality
Book (Open) = Manifestation or
(if Closed) = Counsel
Bow = Ready for
Bow & Arrow = War, Power
& Ability
Branch or Leaves = Hope &
Joy
Brick = One who obtained
Credence or Knowledge in his field
Bridge = Governor or
Magistrate
Broom Plant = Humility
Buck = Peace & Harmony,
Will not fight unless Provoked
Buckle = Victorious Fidelity
in Authority
Bull or
Bull's Horns = Strength &
Fortitude
Bustard = Symbolic of the
Hunt; Nobility & Grace
Butterfly = Psyche or Soul
Buzzard = Rapacious person,
intimidating and persistent
Calopus = Symbol of
ferociousness, unyielding in his cunning to achieve advantage over his enemies
Camel = Patience &
Perseverance
Candle or Lamp = Light, Life
& Spirituality
Cannet or Duck without beak or
leags = Subsists by virtue & merit
Cannon/Cannon Balls = One who
used this weapon in
Carnation = Admiration, hope
& joy
Carpenter's Square = The laws
of right and equity
Castle = Granted to one who
has faithfully held a castle protected in times of war and symbolizes
protection, Castle GATE = Protection in Emergency
Cat =
Catherine Wheel = Enduring
great trials for Faith/Country
Centaur = Eminence in the
field of
Chains = Reward for Great
Service
Chalice = Faith
Chapeau = Cap of dignity, a
badge of high dignity borne by kings
Chaplet = A Mark of Honour,
crown of joy and admiration
Cherub = Dignity, Glory &
Honour or a Missionary
Chess Rook = One who shielded
a leader in war or enterprise; Protection
Chimera = Bravery, Strength
and Cunning to achieve victory
Chough (Cornish) = Watchful
for friends and kindred; Great Military Strategist
Church = Faith
Cinquefoil = Hope and Joy -
Represented various flowers according to color
Clarion = Ready for War
Claw (Bird) = Has been preyed upon
Claw (Bear or Lion) = The bearer of arms only needed to show a
glimpse of his strength to the enemy, for this enemy to surmise the wholeness
of his ferocity
Clouds = Mystery, Obscured
Truth
Club = Guardianship
Cock = Courage, Perseverance;
Hero or Able in Politics
Cockatrice = Terror to All
Beholders
Collared (Gorged) = Symbolic
of High Dignity
Columbine = "The Dove
Plant", Courage and Love
Column = Fortitude &
Constancy
Comet = Harbinger of invasion
& war or remembrance of a great battle
Compass & Square = Symbols
of Freemasonry for one who squares their actions by the square of virtue
Cone (Pine) = Emblem of Life
Coney (Old world Rabbit) =
Wisdom; One who should never be underestimated
Coot (bird) = One who uses
strategy over confrontation to achieve success
Cornucopia = Bounty of Nature's
Gifts
Cormorant = Nobility,
Fisherman's symbol of a Bountiful Catch
Cow = Symbol of the harvest
Crab=Force & Energy
expressed through emotion and imagination
Crane or Stork = Close
Parental Bond
Crescent = One enlightened and
honored by the Sovereign; mark of 2nd son
Cresset = One who is Watchful,
Signals Danger
Crocodile = Fury, Power &
Protection
Cross = Faith; Service in the
Crusades
Cross (Baptismal) = Greek
cross symbolic of rebirth or regeneration
Cross (Cavalry) = Sign of life
to come
Cross (Celtic) = Unity of
Heaven and Earth
Cross (Crosslet) = Signifies
the fourfold mystery of the Cross
Cross (Embattled) = Symbol of
the "Church Militant"
Cross (Fitchee) Cross/Sword -
Unshakeable Faith
Cross (Fleurette) = Reminder
of the Trinity & Resurrection
Cross (Flory) = One who has
Conquered
Cross (Formee) = Military
Honour
Cross (
Cross (
Cross (
Cross (Pattee) = Combination
of the Christian cross and Wotan's
Cross (Patriarchal) =
Ecclesiastical cross, bar represents the inscription
Cross (Pommee) = Represents
the Assyrian god Asshur
Cross (Potent) = Symbol of
Cross (Raguly) = Denotes
difficulties encountered
Cross (
Cross (Tau) = From Greek's
letter "T", the Cross of prophecy
Crossbow = Emblem of war and
great power
Crow = Strategist in
Crown = Monarchy & Power
denoting dignity and accomplishment
Crown of Thorns = Adversity
Cuckoo (King of birds) =
Competitive soul; Lover of music
Cup = Office of the King's
Cushions = Authority
Dagger or Dart = Justice &
Military Honour
Deer = Peace/Harmony, 1 who
will not fight unless Provoked
Diamond (Fusil) = Travel &
Labour
Dice = Equity
Dog = Courage, Vigilance and
Loyalty
Dolphin = Swiftness,
Diligence, Salvation, Charity & Love
Donkey = Patience &
Humility
Dove = Loving Peace; The Holy Spirit
Dove with Olive Branch = Good
Tidings
Dragon = Valour &
Protection
Drops = One who has endured
torrents of liquids in battle - (Black) = Boiling tar, (Blue) = Tears shed in a
great battle over lost friend or family, (Green) = Oil for olive oil denoting
peace & concord,
(Red)= Bloody conflict,
(White) = Water or rain in battle,
(Yellow) = Gold for a generous
deed
Drum = Ready for War
Duck = Person of many
resources
Eagle = Nobility, person of
action; symbol of power & strength
Eagle (Double Headed) =
Conjoining of two forces
Eagle without claws/beak
(Alerion) = One injured in battle
Eel = Versatility, wisdom,
creativity & defense
Elephant (Trunks too) =
Strength, Wit, Longevity, Happiness, Royalty, Luck
Elm Tree = Boldness &
Fidelity; Wisdom
Escallop= Traveler to far
places/Victorious Naval Commander
Escarbuncle = Supremacy &
Dominance
Eye =
Falcon or Hawk = One who won't
rest until objective achieved
Falcon's Lure = One fond of
the highest pursuits
Fasces = Strength in numbers,
Authority & Leadership
Feathers or Plume = Serenity
Fetterlock (manacle) = One who
has taken or rescued Prisoners of War
Finger (pointing) = Direction,
Fire = Zealousness
Fish = True, Generous Mind,
Virtuous; Unity with Christ
Flag = Bearer was rewarded for
valiant service
Fleur-de-lis (White Lily) =
Purity, Light - If through lion/leopard = reward to leaders who served under
Edward III during his French wars
Flint Stone = Readiness for
zealous service
Flowers = Beauty, Hope &
Joy
Fork (pitch or hay) =
Laboriousness
Fountain = Mariner's symbol or
denotation of one's surname
Fox = One who uses wisdom and
wit in his/her defense
Foxtail= Good luck amulet endowing
the bearer with fox's cunning
Fret (Fishing Net or
True-Lover's knot) = Valiant service in war
Frog = Resurrection or
Fertility
Fruit = Felicity & Peace
Gannet = One who has to
subsist by virtue and merit
Gauntlet = Armed for the
performance of martial enterprise
Gavel = Justice, Legal
Authority
Globe = Worldliness, Travel
Goat = One who wins through
Politics rather than war
Goldfinch = Protection; Wards
off evil
Goose = Resourcefulness
Gorged (Collared) = Symbolic
of High Dignity
Grapes = Fertility, Youthfulness
& Hospitality; Wine Making
Grasshopper = Nobility &
Wisdom
Grenade = Indicates the bearer
used this weapon in battle
Greyhound = Majesty, Courage
& Loyalty; emblem of nobility
Haddock = Good Fortune &
Bountifulness
Hammer = Honour, Emblem of the
smith's trade
Hand = Pledge of faith,
sincerity and justice
Hand (Red) = Mark of a Baronet
Hands Joined = Union &
Alliance
Hare = One who enjoys a
peaceable & retired life
Harp = Tempered judgment;
Bridge between Heaven & Earth
Harpy = Ferocity under
provocation
Hawk or Falcon = One who won't
rest until objective achieved
Hawks' Lures = Hunter or in
Falconry
Hazel Tree = Knowledge, Wisdom
& Poetic Inspiration
Head (Human) = Honour - If of
a Moor it refers to deeds
in prowess during the Crusades
Heart (Human) = Charity &
Sincerity
Heart (Human, Flaming) =
Intense, burning affection
Hedgehog = Provident Provider
Helmet = Wisdom, Security in
defense; Strength, invulnerable
Heron = Contemplation,
Vigilance, Divine Wisdom & Inner Quietness
Holly = Symbol of Truth
Hook (fish hook) = One who
despite not knowing his enemy's strength will venture forth with confidence
Horns = Strength &
Fortitude
Horse = Readiness for all
employments for King & Country
Horseshoe = Good Luck,
Safeguard against evil spirits
Hourglass = Mortality, Flight
of time
Hunting Horn = One who is fond
of the chase of high pursuits
Hydra = Conquest of a very
powerful enemy
Ibex = Symbol of Healing;
Nobility (only nobles could hunt them)
Inescutcheon = Coat of Arms of
the bearer's wife's family added to his
Inkhorn/Inkwell = Art of
Writing; Educated employment
Ivy Leaves = Strong and
Lasting Friendship; Protection and Healing
Jackdaw = Symbol of Luck &
Loyal Friendship
Juniper = Protection against
thieves; Symbol of a Healer
Keys = Guardianship and
Dominion
Kingfisher = Peace &
Prosperity
Knight = Prowess in the field
of battle; Dependable beyond doubt
Ladder = One who was fearless
in attacking; One who stood guard
Lamb = Gentleness and Patience
under suffering
Lamb with Staff or Cross =
Faith; Innocence, Bravery, Purity
Lamp or Lantern = Light, Life
& Spirituality
Lance or Javelin = Emblem of
knightly service
Lantern = Watchful, Cautious;
Great navigator of tormented seas
Lapwing (Pewit) = One who
protects the young
Lark = Hope, Happiness, Good
Fortune & Creativity
Leg = Strength, Stability
& Expedition
Leopard = Brave and Generous
Warriors who performed a bold enterprise
Letters = Represents great
battles or tournaments beginning
with that particular letter
Level = Equity and upright
action; Virtuous person
Lightning Bolt = Destruction
of Ignorance
Lily = Purity, Chastity &
Innocence
Lime or
Lion = Dauntless Courage,
Majesty, Strength & Justice
Lizard = Safety and Welfare
Lobster = Tenaciousness &
Regeneration
Lock = Security &
Protection
Lotus Flower = Purity, Virtue
& Honesty
Lozenge = Token of a noble
birth - When hollowed out = Persuasive
Lynx = Stealth & Cunning;
Vigilance & Alertness
Lyre = Contemplation; Tempered
Judgment
Magpie = Luck, Good Omen
Maiden = Purity &
Redemption; Virtue
Marigold = Devotion &
Piety
Martlet = Subsists by Virtue
& Merit
Matches = One who has dared
terror in
Merle (Merlette or Blackbird)
= Symbol of Temptation
Mermaid = Eloquence
Mew (Sea gull) = Hope
Millstone(Mill-pick, Millrind)
= Mutual converse of human society
Mirror = Reflection of the
Soul
Mole = Efficiency &
Protection
Monkey = Agility, Cunning,
Satire & Wisdom
Moon = Serene power over
mundane actions
Moor = Honour of taking a
Moor's head in the Crusades
Mortar or Mortar Piece = One
who has used this in
Mount/Mountain = Permanence
& Enlightenment
Mulberries = Felicity &
Peace
Mule = Borne by abbots who
have pastoral jurisdiction
Mullet = Divine Quality
bestowed from Above
Mushroom = Good Fortune;
Immortality
Musical Pipes = Festivity
& Rejoicing
Narcissus(Flower with 6
petals)=Vanity, Arrogance, Confidence, self-reliance
Nest = Security & Safety
Nets (Frets) = Valiant service
to their sovereign in a great war or battle
Nightingale = Love,
Righteousness, Poetry & Education
Nuthatch = Good provider,
emblem of family values
Oak garb/sheaf = The harvest
of one's hopes has been secured
Oak Tree (Bush/Acorns/Leaves)
= Virtue, Strength & Resiliency
Oar = Power, Skill &
Knowledge; Granted for successful enterprises at sea
Olive Tree/Branch/Leaves =
Peace, Merit & Victory
Osprey = Fisherman's totem;
symbol of abundance
Ostrich = Serenity &
Meditation
Otter = One who lives life to
the fullest
Owl = One who is vigilant,
prudent & of acute wit
Ox = Valour & Generosity
Palm Branch = Victory, Justice
and Royal Honour
Palm Tree = Righteousness
& Resurrection
Panther = Fierce but tender,
Defends children with their life
Parchment or Scroll =
Scholarly achievement
Parrot (Popinjay) = Wisdom
& Good Counsel
Passion Nails = Token of
poignant suffering undergone by
the bearer of arms
Pavilion = Ready for
Paw (animal)=The bearer only
needed to show a glimpse of his strength to the enemy, for the enemy to surmise
the wholeness of his ferocity
Peacock = Power, Beauty &
Knowledge
Pears = Felicity & Peace
Pegasus = Poetic Genius &
Inspiration; Vision & Refinement
Pelican = Self-sacrifice &
charitable nature
Pen = Art of writing and
educated employment
Pheasant = An alert person of
many resources
Pigeon = Virtuousness, Peace
& Wisdom; symbol of a Mariner
Pig = Fertility
Pillar = Fortitude
Pincers = Honour, emblem of
the smith's trade
Pine = Immortality, Rebirth -
JUST Cone= Immortality & Fertility
Pineapple = Elite social
standing & Hospitality
Pipes = Festivity &
Rejoicing
Plow = Laboring in the Earth
Plume of Feathers = Serenity
of the Mind
Pomegranate Fruit = Fertility
& Abundance
Poppy (red quatrefoil) = Hope
& Joy
Porcupine = Invincibility
Pot = Charity
Puffin (Sea-Parrot) =
Consummate provider; Symbol of family
Pyramid = Duration &
Longevity
Quail = Courage & Victory
Quatrefoil (Primrose) = Bearer
of good tidings
Rabbit = One who enjoys a
peaceable & retired life
Rainbow = Hope
Ram = Leadership &
Authority
Rat = Industry &
Prosperity for its ability for locating & acquiring food
Raven = Protection &
Prophecy
Reindeer = Persistence &
Resoluteness; Viking's symbol of status
Rhinoceros = Tenacity, Vigor
& Unpredictability
Ring (Annulet) = Fidelity
Robin = Domestic peace &
tranquility; Mariners bird of hope
Rock = Safety and Protection;
Refuge
Rose (Red= Grace & Beauty;
House of
(White = Love & Faith;
Badge of Richard Duke of York & son Edward IV)
Rosemary = Fidelity in Love
Roundles:
Black= Cannon Ball
White(plate) = Generosity
Blue= Wounded or Whortleberry
Gold= Treasure
Green or Pomme(Apple) = Peace
Purple or Golpe= Wounded
Red or Torteau= Communion Wafer or Manchet Cake
Ruff = Warrior; Bearer will
fight to get what he wants
Sabre = Justice & Honour
Saddle = Prepared for
Salamander = Protection
Salmon = Betoken on one of
wisdom & knowledge
Savage or Saracen = Service in
the Crusades
Scales = Justice
Sceptre = Emblem of Justice
Scorpion = Wisdom & also
Self-Destruction; emblem of resurrection
Scythe or Sickle = Hope of a
Fruitful Harvest
Sea Horse = Power of the Water
Seal or Sea Lion = Dauntless
Courage at Sea
Seraphim = Dignity, Glory
& Honour
Serpent, Snake, Lizard =
Wisdom & Cunning
Shacklebolt = Victory; Rescued
Prisoners
Shamrock (Trefoil) =
Perpetuity
Shark = Persistence &
Perseverance
Shield = Defender
Ship =
Ship Dismasted = Disaster at
Sea
Skull = Mortality, Fear &
Intimidation
Snail = Deliberation and
Perseverance
Snake = Wisdom
Spaniel = Symbol of the hunt;
Loyalty, Integrity & Trustworthiness
Sparrow = Symbol of Aphrodite;
Beauty, Love & Pleasure
Spear = Honorable Warrior,
Valiant Knight, Spear-Heads = Ready for
Sphinx = Omniscience and
Secrecy
Spider = Wisdom, Labor &
Prudence
Spur = Preparedness for active
service; Pressing onward
Square = Constancy
Squirrel = Lover of the Woods
Stag=One who will not fight
unless provoked; Peace/Harmony
Stag's Antlers = Strength
& Fortitude
Star = Noble Person, Celestial
goodness, Star of 5 points (Mullet) = Divine quality from above
Steel = Readiness for zealous
service
Stirrup = Preparedness for
active service
Stool = Hospitality
Stork = Filial duty; close
parental bond, IF holding a rock then it means Vigilance
Strawberries (Frasier-Fraises)
= Symbol of a Wanderer
Sturgeon = Longevity,
Permanence & Stability
Sun = Glory & Splendour,
Fountain of life
Swallow = Prompt and ready in
doing business; bringer of good news
Swan = Poetic harmony and
learning, light, love, grace, sincerity & perfection
Sword = Power, Protection,
Authority, Strength & Courage
Table = Hospitality
Tails = Amulet of good
fortune; Bearer would have characteristics of the animal
Tent = Readiness for
Thrush = Songbird symbolic of
solitude & poetry
Tiger = Fierceness &
Valour; Dangerous if Aroused
Tomb-Stone = Inspiration,
Bereavement; Mortality
Torch = Life; zealousness;
truth & intelligence
Tortoise = Invulnerability to
Attack
Tower = Safety & Grandeur
Tree = Life, Tree Trunk/Stump/Branch = New life sprouting
from the old
Trefoil = Perpetuity
Trestle = Hospitality
Trident = Maritime dominion
Trumpet = Ready for War
Unicorn = Extreme Courage, Virtue
& Strength
Vase or Vessel = Openness
& Validity
Vine = Promise & Bounty;
Lasting Friendship
Vulture = Purification &
Maternity
Water Bouget = One who carried
water to an army or besieged place in need
Weasel = Boldness &
Resoluteness; Spiritual Warriors
Well = Generation,
Purification & the Matrix of Life
Whale = Righteousness,
Repentance & Majesty
Wheat Garb or Sheaf = The
harvest of one's hopes have been secured
Wheat-Ears = Faithful
Wheel = Fortune; Cycle of life
Wings = Swiftness &
Protection
Wolf = Reward from
perseverance in long sieges and/or hard industry
Woodbine Leaves = Love that
does not injure that which it clings to
Wreath = Triumph
Wren = Freedom
Wyvern = Valour &
Protection
Yew = Eternal Life after Death
