Heraldry

“Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.”

Do you want to unravel your family’s history?

Are you interested in unlocking your undiscovered family coat of arms?

Do you want to discover the origins of your crest?

Are you thinking of immortalizing your family across generations by having your own crest designed?

Our heraldic experts can help you regarding all of these questions! To begin your journey towards your own family coat of arms, please fill out this contact form for any direct requests.

If you would like to learn more about our heraldry processes, then please continue reading…

There are fundamentally 2 possible ways to access the right to a  permissible coat of arms:

1. Acceptance of the historical family coat of arms.
2. The formulation of a new coat of arms.

A thorough description of these two possibilities can be found below:

Contrary to popular belief, every citizen is entitled to their own Coat of Arms. Their ownership is not limited to the noble and aristocrats of society but can be held by practically everyone. On the other hand, a Coat of Arms is not simply granted to a willing person. If inquired,

. Furthermore, people do not grant Coats of Arms to someone. Now, as ever someone who wanted to bear a Coat of Amrs just commissioned it. The commisioner then passed it to next generations. This is why a Family Crest is the most convenient way of immortalizing the family history. It will keep up old traditions and true values of the family. An individual Crest is the most valueable treasure of a family. Connect generations with a special bond and create a durable legacy. Streghten family ties and create your own Family Coat of Arms with Pro Heraldica!

Mit über 40 Jahren Erfahrung in der Erforschung von Familiengeschichte, Prüfung von Führungsberechtigungen und Neugestaltung von Wappen verfügt Pro Heraldica über eine einzigartige Expertise.

Im nebenstehenden Video erklärt Dr. Harald Heimbach, Geschäftsführender Gesellschafter von Pro Heraldica, welche Arten der rechtmäßigen Wappenführung es in Deutschland gibt. Er geht auf die Themen historische Wappenführung und Wappenneustiftung ein und erklärt, welche Unwegsamkeiten mit historischen Wappenführungen oft verbunden sind. Außerdem geht er auf die Bestandteile von Wappen ein und grenzt bürgerliche gegen adlige Wappen ab.

NOTIZ: Gibt es das video schon auf Englisch?

YouTube

By loading the video, you agree to YouTube's privacy policy.
Learn more

Load video

With over 80 years of expertise, Pro Heraldica will support you in assembling your family’s legacy through a personalized Coat of Arms. This symbolic branding will embody you and your family’s history and provide a tangible connection to your personal traditions. Can you imagine a more unique way of passing on your traditions and the historic stories that captivate your family’s individualism?

In fact, every family deserves the proper representation of their story, that a Coat of Arms is willing to provide.

For more details please do not hesitate to contact our professional heralds at Pro Heraldica! 

1. The Acquisition of a Family’s Historic Coat of Arms

In general, we can assume that past literature-based information will provide us with more than one coat of arms for one specific name family name. For example, the family name “Heimbach” results in a plethora of 16 legitimate coat of arms. However, this does not mean that anyone with the name Heimbach has a right to claim their family’s blazon. The justification of the right to a coat of arms does not derive from the origin of one’s name but the genealogical ancestry of one’s family. 

It is at this precise moment where reputable heraldry differs from the ordinary. 

The Proof of decent of a Coat of Arm’s founder

Once a family wishes to explore their historical coat of arms, we must first determine an uninterrupted lineage to its founder. Only then is the progress and exploration of the existing blazon able to be set forth.

In order to adopt one’s historical coat of arms from its past, it is vital to obtain proper research regarding both the family’s history and its corresponding high ancestral social status. This is done because, in earlier times, the coat of arms resided with a certain social status and was observed to develop together with habitus and financial expenses.

In this context, it is easier to understand that coming across a coat of arms with a direct historical lineage to its founder is practically impossible.

2. Commissioning a new coat of arms

Are you interested in developing your own personalized coat of arms? Such a development can generally be undertaken in three simple phases:

The Formation, Documentation, and Registration Phases

Throughout the entire structuring of your coat of arms, you will be consulted by one of Pro Heraldica’s many expert heraldist. Together, we examine your existing documentation and from it, develop a drafted design that takes into consideration both your own preferences and the necessary consideration of the standard rules of heraldry. With this said, we guarantee that our outcome will ensure your coat to the right of official registration. For a detailed description of this process please click here.

Otherwise, we would also like to address two bias that may arise in regard to this topic.

The processes of both bearing and commissioning of a crest, demands strict adherence to rules established centuries ago. This will require the help of a professional partner as you commit to delving into your family’s past.

With decades of experience in research and creation, Pro Heraldica offers expertise and resources at levels not matched by any other services. Some of the unique features and key facts that make Pro Heraldica one of the leading heraldic services are listed below:

  • Commissioning of more than 15,000 Coat of Arms
  • Access to the largest private Heraldry and Genealogy library in the world
  • Team of trained heraldic artists adhering to the principles of heraldry established 800 years ago
  • Important relationships with master artisans for hand painting and Fine Arts creation
  • Commitment to the highest levels of professional service and customer satisfaction

Bring Your History Forward!
If you’re curious about your family’s background and aspire to dive into the world of heraldry, then an authentic coat of arms is the answer, contact us today!

Bias Topic 1: The Coat of Arms is reserved for the Nobles

Contrary to popular belief, the possession of a coat of arms is a right to every citizen -not the privilege of the rich and powerful.

Nevertheless, many today are still under the impression that a coat of arms can only be in reference to a family of nobility. This was however true in the 12th century, in a time when knights would put on full body armor and closed visor helms to go into battle. In order to distinguish between an alley and an enemy on the battlefield, large areas on the weapons – later shields – were painted accordingly with significant heraldic symbols and colors. This marked the early progression and birth of heraldry as we know it today. Due to most knights and soldiers residing in a house of nobility at that time, most coats were designed for a limited portion of society.

Yet heraldry was soon overthrown by the general public in the 13th century and with it, its privilege to the nobility. Since this time, the beginning of social heraldry can be distinguished. In today’s day and age, the majority of family coats of arms (around 90%) that can be traced back through literature derive from social heraldry.

Bias Topic 2: Coat of Arms are able to be Borrowed

Many people may be under the impression that a family’s coat of arms can transfer ownership and be borrowed from others. This, however, is not possible. A coat of arms was often designed for public officials whose seal proved fairly crucial to their occupation. Such seals were also instigated for people pursuing a social advancement, such as merchants who sealed their contracts with their iconic seal and proved the benefits of one’s coat of arms.

Already a few centuries ago, people contacted heraldists to design their personalized blazon within the set rules of heraldry. Once the coat’s designs were in place, the coat of arms was submitted to the state’s sovereigns for confirmation from either a prince or an appointed high court. Such work was gladly uptaken and accepted by the sovereign rulers as they were rewarded quite well for their work in the end.  

Today, the exploration and structuring of a coat of arms are done just like in earlier times. The procedures and Rules of Heraldry have not altered in the last 800 years. 

Family Coat of Arms in Germany Compared to Other Countries

Generally, in Europe, one must first distinguish between a constitutional monarchy and a democracy. All monarchies possess bureaus and government agencies. The heralds are responsible for the procurement of both the heraldry and genealogy of the state. As a citizen of such a country, you have the right to apply for the endowment and registration of your family coat of arms. This relationship of agencies and heralds has existed in Germany since 1919 (in the so-called “Reichsheroldamt”) with its headquarters in Berlin.

Nowadays, there exist associations in Germany that care for the heraldry and genealogy issues of the state. There are now over 100 genealogical, heraldic associations with over 38,000 members, of which the fewest truly take on heraldic work and create a roll of arms. Today, the General roll of arms is classified amongst the most recognized roll in the world and, as of October 2013 by the Coat of Arms Herold, published its 20th volume. This roll’s current volume is littered with all successfully procured family coat of arms and reveal many highly interesting family histories with even several references to famous personalities. 

Heraldic Accuracy and Uniqueness

The Coat-of-Arms-Herold is one of the few associations globally that maintains an internationally recognized registration of coat of arms. Two aspects of the registration of a family coat of arms must always be upheld: heraldic accuracy and uniqueness. 

Heraldic Accuracy

The Rules of Heraldry originated during the 12th century within the early development phase of heraldry and is still relevant today. Not only do these rules clearly state which symbols and items may appear within a coat of arms but also give order to the relating colors, framing design, and even the overall proportions of the blazon’s features. A full coat of arms consists of the necessary features of its arms, shield, helmet ceiling, and helmet decorations. Such characteristics are imperative in order to be fully registered in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Heraldic Uniqueness

The Coat of Arms Herold only accepts coats that embody a combination of both symbols and colors that are have yet never been used or seen before. With over 1.7 million known family coat of arms that have emerged in Germany over the past 800 years, this proves to be quite an extensive undertaking.

In today’s genealogy, there exist over 18,000 documents, and we can therefore guarantee that a new coat of arms will truly be one of a kind. Such an archetype of uniqueness, as found at Pro Heraldica is impossible to find anywhere else. From here, we refer to the life’s work of Dr. Ottfried Neubecker, among other things, such as the historical register of coats of arms, that have developed over the past decade to form a record called the “Large Encyclopedia of Coat of Arms”. Known as the “Pope of Heraldry,” Dr. Ottfried Neubecker is recognized, across the professional domain, as one of the greatest heraldist of the 20th century.

Through the accessibility and existence of this collection, we can identify the coat of arms based on existing symbols. We often receive inquiries about certain items such as furniture or jewelry marked with a coat of arms without an associated family name. Thanks to such a wide-ranged registry of coats of arms, have we been able to successfully identify these misplaced arms to their correct origin.

In order to publicize and register a coat of arms, all relating documents and text manuscripts must be reproducible in printing and turned in for publication. The final roll of arms is then exhibited in all major German libraries and archives. This ensures that experts and researchers can access these manuscripts and trace back a coat of arms connection to its family history over the past centuries. Through such a publication, the coat of arms receives a legal claim to its family name. This, therefore, protects the arms from any misuse and enables the owner to sue any event of misuse under civil law.  

In conclusion, it is essential to understand that the heraldic tradition can only survive if adequately experienced,  meaning that once a coat of arms is alive within a family (for example, Signet rings for 18th birthday, round marriage anniversaries, Job celebrations, etc.), it is vital for that family to carry on their emblem to future generations. This is why we offer our clients numerous opportunities to hand-design their coat of arms. Either in the form of a signet ring or various pieces of jewelry,  will you find the importance of the symbolized family affiliation carried by a coat of arms. The possibilities are almost infinite.

If requested, we would gladly send you more detailed information and consultation regarding your family coat of arms. 

This post is also available in: German