Alumni Batch Lore Pad

[Stevo]

I don't have any problems personally with people displaying a coat of arms of some long dead person...especially one whose line has daughtered out. I would not however display the arms of the current chief of Clan MacMillan and claim them as my own. In my mind, the biggest issue are the companies that advertise "We have you family's coat of arms for sale." That's just false advertising and taking advantage of an unsuspecting/gullible consumer.

Well, you're right about all that.

But you have a Scottish surname with an ongoing clan tradition.

I think (but cannot confirm yet) that my own immigrant ancestor was a poor German who left Europe to get away from its incessant wars and various oppressions and whose coat of arms was the sweaty shirt on his back.

Personally, I have little interest in coats of arms (unless there's money in it).

[GvdM]

Coat of Arms

Displaying arms that are not legitimate through inheritance is akin to identity theft. America or not it is a slap in the face to the families that do honor the tradition and heraldic law. Believe it or not it is a very serious subject to many families.

That is all I will say on that topic.

kind regards
George

[M.O'Connor]

yea..well I inherited the name, i didn't ask for it.

Identy theft is laughable.

The oldest son thing sounds good. If they weren't eliminated by another kin or brother or whoever.

[GvdM]

Identy theft is laughable.

It may be to you but that is what you would be charged with in many countries. For example: say you were from an illegitimate line of a noble Dutch family. You had the surname. You have the arms embroidered (sp?) on your suitcase and trot off to Holland.

Those very arms are protected by the Hoge Raad van Adel (Dutch council of Nobility) and the Queen. You have now landed yourself in very serious trouble, as it would be identity theft and impersonating nobility. Remember, things discussed on the internet are not the province of the United States of America but you should take into consideration to whom the discussions are taking place with. This is not a US board but and international clientele.

In addition heraldry is used quite extensively in genealogy to determine linage, branches, legitimate and illegitimate lines. As genealogists I would think that also would be respected.

[efgen]

Hey, when did the U.S. annex PEI?? That's news to me!

[DMac]

Hey, when did the U.S. annex PEI?? That's news to me!

You haven't heard? It was in all the morning papers and the evening news.

[ragnar]

The military supposedly has contingency plans for EVERYTHING!

[GvdM]

OK, Now I get it, Had to have efgen explain it to me

[M.O'Connor]

My use of the arms does not offer me signing rights.

That would be "Identity Theft."

What I am doing is for my own personal entertainment purpose.

We are all related...right?

[Stevo]

While I find heraldry interesting, I'm not really into trying to get a coat of arms for myself. Given what George and DMac posted, I would not wear or carry anything with a family coat of arms on it in Europe.

[DMac]

While I find heraldry interesting, I'm not really into trying to get a coat of arms for myself. Given what George and DMac posted, I would not wear or carry anything with a family coat of arms on it in Europe.

Oh, come on Stevo!!! I'd think a coat of arms with a Heiniken bottle in the crest would be hilarious.

[Stevo]

Oh, come on Stevo!!! I'd think a coat of arms with a Heiniken bottle in the crest would be hilarious.

Especially with a motto like, "I like Heinie!"

[DMac]

Especially with a motto like, "I like Heinie!"

Given your possible Germanic roots... Ich mag Heinie

[GvdM]

Given your possible Germanic roots... Ich mag Heinie

Heiniken is a Dutch Beer so: "Ik wil een bierje graag"

[M.O'Connor]

Have a Beck's Beer...