Arms Registration

In the Preface to their 1993 work, Simple Heraldry: Cheerfully Illustrated, Moncrieffe and Pottinger succinctly and aptly define heraldry as “the floral border in the garden of history” which not only provides a picturesque record of (past) achievements and courage but remains “part of the flowered pageantry that brightens the living present for the ordinary man”. For this reason, the art and science of heraldry is as significant and meaningful today as it was during their infancy during the 13th century.

For several decades, The Augustan Society has registered armorial bearings of various persons and institutions and continues to encourage and invite members and non-members to petition to have their arms registered with the Society. Such registration is open to all men, women, and organizations who want to develop their personal or corporate coat of arms or have personally received or inherited arms granted by, or registered with, recognized heraldic authorities; including The College of Arms in London, The Court of the Lord Lyon of Scotland, The Chief Herald of Ireland, The Canadian Heraldic Authority, the South-African Bureau of Heraldry, the late Cronista Rey de Armas, and others. Registration or receiving grants of arms from the latter heraldic authorities would greatly speed up the research, review, and approval of a coat of arms by the Society. Registration is also open to those who have assumed arms and their direct, legitimate descendants who have inherited such.

Armigers whose petitions have been approved will receive a certificate of registration that depicts their arms along with its blazon or written description of the coat of arms. The arms may also be selected for publication in The Augustan Society Roll of Arms. It should be noted that registration of a person's personal coat of arms with the Society is a prerequisite for membership in the Augustan Society's sub-groups, the Order of the Augustan Eagle and the Noble Company of the Rose.

Every petition submitted is reviewed by the Heraldry Committee to ensure that the arms in question:

1. demonstrate good taste,
2. are consistent with the established rules of heraldry, and
3. do not duplicate the arms belonging to another person (tantamount to identity theft!).

All petitions submitted must include an appropriate and accurate blazon (i.e.: a detailed written description of the arms using proper and traditional heraldic terminology) as well as the origin of said arms (if granted, matriculated, inherited, or assumed as may be the case). All parts of one's achievement—including mottoes—may be registered with the Society. Symbols of noble or royal rank, such as coronets, crowns, or supporters, will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Justiciar General and may require prior recognition by the Royalty & Nobility Committee. For current pricing for registration of arms for members and non-members please see the Society's Online Store.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Justiciar General who serves as the Chairman of the Heraldry Committee, or Headquarters. In addition, the Heraldry Committee has various Vice-Justiciars for the different heraldic traditions. These individuals were selected and appointed due to their knowledge and expertise in heraldic tradition. As such, they can provide petitioners with invaluable information regarding specific protocols or customs and a proper written description of the coat of arms. Click here for a list of Vice Justiciars.