So you’ve decided to design your very own coat of arms (A noble move, truly.) Maybe you’ve seen your favorite fantasy hero riding into battle with one, or your great-great-someone supposedly had a lion on theirs. Either way, you’re about to step into one of history’s most colorful traditions.
But before you start adding dragons, crowns, and a motto in Latin, there’s something every armiger (that’s heraldry-speak for “person with arms”) must learn: the rules.
Heraldry is like chess. Every move, every color, symbol, and line has meaning.
The good news? You don’t need a royal herald or a 400-year-old scroll to make yours correctly. With a little guidance and the free Coat of Arms Maker, you can find your family crest and design it step by step.
Rule #1: Follow the Rules of Tincture
Tinctures are the “colors” of heraldry. Each of your family crest colors has meaning in terms of what they represent and how they’re placed on your arms.
There are three main types of tinctures:
-
Metals: Gold (Or) and Silver (Argent)
-
Colors: Red (Gules), Blue (Azure), Green (Vert), Black (Sable), and Purple (Purpure)
-
Furs: Patterns like Ermine or Vair (think luxurious medieval fashion)
Note: Never place color on color or metal on metal.
If your shield background (field) is red (a color), your symbol or charge should be gold or silver (a metal).
Why? Because contrast.
Medieval knights didn’t have 4K displays, so they needed bold, clear designs visible from afar. (Imagine trying to spot a blue eagle on a red field from across a battlefield. Exactly.)
The colors often reflected a person’s rank, achievements, or experiences. So, when you look at your family crest’s colors, you’re actually glimpsing a piece of your ancestors’ story!
Learn more about your family crest colors here.
💡 Quick tip: When using the Coat of Arms Maker, you can select precise colors using a hex code to make your design truly your own.
Rule #2: Choose Your Shield Shape Accordingly
Your shield, or escutcheon, is the base of your design. The part that holds everything else together. It’s what people picture when they think “coat of arms.”
Traditionally:
-
Knights used a classic pointed shield (most useful during battles).
-
Women often used a lozenge (diamond shape).
-
Clergy might use an oval or round shape.
In modern designs, you can use whichever feels right for your family story or personality.
Think of it as choosing the right frame before painting your masterpiece! There’s no one “right” shield shape in heraldry. Through history, shields took on many forms, some practical, some purely decorative.
In our free tool, you can choose between classic and ancient shield styles.
Rule #3: Add Symbolic Charges
The designs or symbols on your shield are called heraldic charges. They’re the stars of your heraldic show.
They can be:
-
Animals (lions, eagles, boars)
-
Objects (keys, swords, crowns)
-
Plants (roses, oak trees, wheat sheaves)
-
Geometric shapes (called ordinaries—like chevrons or crosses)
You can find your family crest symbols by:
-
Checking online databases like Ancestry or Family Search can help you look for heraldic records that can uncover how your family name is tied to a coat of arms.
-
Ask your family for old documents or photos that show recurring symbols. Family history provides great context for when you’re interpreting symbols for your own design!
Placement and poses matter too! A lion standing upright (rampant) screams bravery; lying down (couchant) means peace and vigilance. (Basically, heraldic yoga poses.)
The Coat of Arms Maker lets you choose and arrange charges easily, so you can focus on storytelling, not drawing straight lines.
Rule #4: Balance Your Design
You might be tempted to add everything. A dragon, a crown, a tree, a sword, your dog’s paw print. (We’ve all been there.)
But heraldry values balance and symbolism over clutter. A good coat of arms is instantly recognizable, not overwhelming.
Follow these simple balancing tips:
-
Limit yourself to two or three main colors.
-
Keep symbols large and distinct.
-
Use symmetry or clear divisions for order.
If you want to divide your shield into sections called partitions, each part should still obey the rule of tincture.
Think of it like designing a logo: the simpler it is, the more clear and powerful looks, the more memorable your family crest is.
Rule #5: Don’t Forget the Crest
The crest sits atop the helmet (above the shield) and is separate from the shield itself!
It often represents the family’s identity or achievements, and it should be distinct and properly placed.
In short:
-
The crest is on top, not on the shield.
-
It can be an animal, an object, or a symbolic element.
-
It should complement the shield and follow heraldic balance.
Fun fact: many people say “family crest” when they mean “coat of arms,” but technically, the crest is just that top part! (Now you can correct people at parties with style.)
Rule #6: Blazoning
Every coat of arms has a description called a blazon. It’s a specific way of describing the design so that anyone, anywhere, can visualize it correctly just by reading the words.
For example:
“Gules, a lion rampant Or.”
That’s a red shield (Gules) with a gold lion (Or) standing upright (rampant).
It’s like coding for heraldry. Precise, universal, and kind of poetic once you get the hang of it.
This step is completely optional! It’s just a way for others to appreciate your family crest design in words!
Rule #7: Adding Supporters, Motto, and Mantling
Extras like supporters, motto, and mantling should complement the shield and crest, follow heraldic balance, and not overwhelm the design.
-
Supporters go on either side of the shield.
-
Motto goes beneath (or sometimes above) to express values.
-
Mantling drapes behind the helmet in the main colors.
-
Keep it balanced and simple so the coat of arms remains clear and recognizable.
Rule #8: Make It Yours Without Breaking the Rules
You can personalize your coat of arms, but it must still follow heraldic principles like contrast, clarity, and meaningful symbolism!
-
Heraldry balances structure and creativity.
-
Every coat of arms is unique, but readability and symbolic logic are key.
Play by the Rules
Following the rules of heraldry doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Think of it as a mix of tradition, storytelling, and design that can stand the test of time.
By mastering tinctures, choosing symbols that speak to your family’s values, and keeping the design balanced, you’ll end up with a coat of arms that even your ancestors would give a nod to (or at least a polite eyebrow raise).
And hey, if your ancestors could do it with quills and ink, you can definitely do it with a few clicks on the Coat of Arms Maker!
Image Credits:
Tinctures via Wikimedia Commons, source
#/media/File:Tinctures_(metals_and_colours).svg){kind=link}