What is a Coat of Arms?

What is a Coat of Arms?

Peter O'Donoghue (Bluemantle Pursuivant ) gives expert video advice on: What is a Coat of Arms?; Can anyone have a Coat of arms?; Where would they come from? and more...

A Coat of Arms is an arrangement of devices such as lions, other animals, or geometrical shapes placed on a shield. The term Coat of Arms comes from medieval times when knights going into battle would wear surcoats over their armour, which are garments embroided or painted with their Coat of Arms. That's where the term comes from.