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Heraldry 
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Heraldry is a beautiful and fascinating art that is deeply rooted in history and tradition. It is still alive, growing and thriving in modern times. Company logos are a form of heraldry. But true heraldry is a much more elegant and enduring form that has never lost popularity.
The ideal of heraldry is that anyone or any organization that obtains such a graphic identity values a lifestyle that reflects honor, integrity and distinction.
Heraldry is a visible link to ones family, to the past, a present symbol of unity with the
traditions of chivalry--being honest, just, brave and honorable in one's life, and a hope for the extention of those important values for future generations.
Unfortunately, heraldry is a much abused system of art and identity by well-meaning and well-intentioned people who do not know important heraldic rules and regulations. Much of what is sold as coats-of-arms for many surnames are illegitimate forms. The reason is, a coat-of-arms is registered only to one person. To bear such a persons arms means you are a direct descendant of that person. Hence, the probability of buying a valid coat of arms for your true ancestor off of the internet or by mail-order is extremely unlikely. There are simply too many different lines that have the same last name. In other words, as a result, many people are displaying someone else's arms without knowing it.
To properly use an ancestor's coat-of-arms, you must provide genealogical proof to a appropriate Heraldic authority that you are an actual direct descendant of that person. It is important to understand that to use another's arms because you found one that might be yours on the internet, because it has the same surname attached to it, is propbably a wrongful act---an act of theft, because it probably belongs to another family other than yours. Though there is not necessarily a law against this, it is still an offensive as it is most likely a violation of someone's
property---an unauthorized use of their symbolic mark of honor. If one assumes a coat-of-arms or buys one on the internet or from some other source, it may also represents a loss of connection with one's own ancestors who might have had authentic arms. A much better way is to prove your connection, or obtain your own rightful coat-of-arms and have it properly registered and published by a true and recognized heraldic organization.
But beware of "Bucket Shops." The Association for the Advancement of Heraldry said itwell, "Amongst serious heraldic enthusiasts this term [Bucket Shop] is frequently used to describe unscrupulous heraldry-mongers who dispense coats of arms by the bucket load with no regard for the rights of armigers." (freepages.family.rootsweb.com/~heraldry/aah-faq.html) In other words, they sell bogusand/or inaccurate armorial bearings. The International Commission on Nobility and Royalty will never be directly involved in heraldry, but we feel the need to recommend some organizations that have built up a reputation for honesty and high standards over the years.
Above all, as a very important concern to us, the following organizations do not, for
example, provide coats-of-arms, crests or any kind of art work that recognize counterfeit or phony titles of nobility, unproven claims to knighthood or give any credibility whatsoever to self-styled or illegitimate orders of knighthood, nor do they recognize unproven claims to nobility or royalty. Hence, we can safely and confidently recommend them as being above board in the most important aspect for us, which is the preservation of what is true, genuine and accurate. There may be other deserving organizations, but the following have proven themselves and are presently known to be reliable and worthy of trust.
Other Heraldic organizations may be added to the list in the future.
b. The College of Arms (England):
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d.The Canadian Heraldic Authority:
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f. The South African Bureau of Heraldry:
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We applaud and encourage heraldry as an art and a science of particular significant and important to the future of nobility, royalty and monarchy and the ideals it
promotes that can encourage people to carry on the time-honored traditions of chivalry. It is hoped that you will involve yourself in this field and rightfully obtain and register your own special coat of arms as a reminder of your ideals.
We encourage you to read and enjoy the articles that follow, which are informative and can deepen one's understanding of the whys and wherefores as well as the true and permanent rights of royalty, nobility and chivalry. The following articles are considered to be especially important and valuable:
For "Contact" information or to join the Commission as a contributor or apply for
certification for titles, knighthood, status or ancestry, please first read the "Disclaimer and Obligatory Contract." If you fully agree with them, you are welcome to contact us, make contributions, answer our survey and/or become a part of this important cause. Our goals and mission are to protect the public from counterfeit titles, phony knighthoods and fake genealogies. We also want to certify the true and the genuine as well as promote chivalry, royalty and nobility. We need your support. There is so much that needs to be done. We invite you to contribute and join with us.
We welcome your answers to the seven questions on our "Survey" page and to make a comment if you like. But, first, before you do so, please read either the article entitled "IDEALS" and/or the one entitled "ADVANTAGES."
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