Heraldry in the United States

When most people think of heraldry, they picture medieval knights, European nobility, and ornate family crests passed down through generations. But what about the United States—a nation born from revolution, not royalty? Surprisingly, heraldry is alive and well in America. It’s just taken on a style and meaning all its own. From government seals to military insignia, from university crests to personal arms, the language of heraldry is deeply woven into American visual culture. Let’s explore how heraldry works in the U.S.—where it comes from, where you’ll see it, and how it’s evolved in this unique democratic setting. In this post, we will examine three types of American heraldry: a) National and Military Heraldry and Academic, b) Civic Heraldry, and c) Family Heraldry.

National and Military Heraldry

The best place to start is with one of the most potent symbols of the American government: the Great Seal of the United States. Adopted in 1782, this iconic image features a bald eagle with a red, white, and blue shield on its chest. The eagle holds an olive branch in one talon (symbolizing peace) and a bundle of arrows in the other (signifying defense), with a constellation of 13 stars above its head, representing unity among the original colonies.

While it’s not technically a “coat of arms” in the feudal sense, the Great Seal functions similarly. It’s an official emblem of authority, appearing on passports, government documents, and even the back of the dollar bill.

Each U.S. state also has its seal or coat of arms, often featuring heraldic elements like shields, crests, and allegorical figures. These designs reflect each state’s values, history, and identity—consider Pennsylvania’s plow and wheat (agriculture) or New York’s personifications of Liberty and Justice.

However, perhaps the most formal and consistent use of heraldry in America is found in the military. Each branch—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard—utilizes heraldic emblems for units, divisions, and honors. These designs are developed under the careful supervision of the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry, adhering to precise rules to ensure historical accuracy and symbolic clarity. Think of crossed swords, thunderbolts, shields, and Latin mottos rich in meaning, tradition, and esprit de corps.

Academic and Civic Heraldry

Heraldry isn’t limited to the battlefield or the halls of government—it also appears in college and city halls. Many American universities—especially older institutions—utilize coats of arms or seals that incorporate heraldic elements. Harvard’s shield, for instance, displays three open books adorned with the word “VERITAS” (Latin for “truth”). These designs are not merely decorative; they link the school to a broader scholarship, history, and values tradition.

Some cities and towns, particularly those with colonial or historical significance, have also adopted coats of arms. New York City, for example, boasts a coat of arms featuring beavers, barrels, and a windmill—reminders of its Dutch heritage and early trade economy. While not every American municipality has embraced heraldry, those often use it to project civic pride and tell a visual story about their origins.

Family Heraldry

So, what about personal or family heraldry? In Europe, heraldic authorities like England’s College of Arms or Scotland’s Court of the Lord Lyon legally granted and regulated coats of arms. In the U.S., however, no official heraldic body exists. That means Americans can’t apply for a government-sanctioned coat of arms—but that doesn’t stop people from exploring or creating their own.

Many Americans with European ancestry trace family arms back through genealogical research, claiming arms granted to ancestors in the Old World. Others choose to design their own based on personal history, symbolism, and artistic preference.

There’s also a booming business of commercial heraldry, where companies offer “family crest” plaques, rings, and certificates. These are often fun and attractive—but not always historically accurate. If you go this route, know it’s more about personal meaning than strict authenticity, though I do not recommend this path.

If you cannot find and authenticate your armorial arms then I recommend creating your own. I did, and the process will be discussed in a later post. However, for those who want to jump in right now, there is a website with a tool that will assist you. It is called Drawshield, and the URL for it is https://drawshield.net/index.html, last accessed by me 11 April 2025. It also contains some excellent information about the symbology and blazon. Check it out.