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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Anderson Coat-Of-Arms

In this blog we will discuss the history of Heraldry and all its symbolism. Each week we will showcase a Coat-Of-Arms. Give a written description (blazon) of the coat, it's particulars and where we obtained the information for that coat.

This weeks showcased coat-of-arms will be the surname Anderson from Denmark. I can find over 16 different registered coats-of-arms with this name. As always unless you know your direct ancestry it is impossible to know which one of the coats-of-arms would be in your ancestral line and in these cases I refer to the oldest coat-of-arms I can find. Information for this coat-of-arms was found in 'Rietstaps Armorial General'.


ARMS: Argent (silver) on a chevron gules (red) between three mullets vert (green) as many quatrefoils or (gold)

CREST: A greyhounds head couped per pale or (gold) and sable (black) on the the neck a saltire counter-changed

MOTTO: VIRTUTE ET FORTUNA (By Valor And Good Fortune)


Lets break this down. We will start with the arms:

ARGENT (Silver or White): Sometimes fancifully called Luna in the arms of princes, as also Pearl in those of peers: peace and sincerity.

CHEVRON: Protection; granted as a reward to one who has achieved some notable enterprise. Said to represent the rooftree of a house, and has sometimes been given to those who have built churches or fortresses or who have accomplished some work of faithful service. 

GULES (Red): The term is probably derived from the Arabic gule, a red rose; introduced by the Crusaders. Some historians feel the word is derived from the Latin gula, which in old French is found as gueule, i.e. the "red throat of an animal." Others, again, have tried to find the origin in the Hebrew word gulade, which signifies red cloth. Symbolizes a warrior or martyr; military strength and magnanimity. 

MULLET (star): Usually 5 pointed however, in French heraldry the mullet is a six-pointed star. It usually represents the rowel of a spur. The mullet is also the mark of distinction of the third son. Is also said to denote some Divine quality bestowed from above.

VERT (Green); (fr. sinople): The French are said to have called it Sinople, from a town in Asia Minor (Sinope) from which were brought the best materials for dyeing green, or silks and stuffs of a brilliant green color; signifies hope, joy, and loyalty in love.

QUATREFOIL (Fr. Quartefeuille): A charge the design of which may have been derived from some four-leaved flower, but more probably produced in the course of the ordinary workman’s craft. When quatrefoils are slipped, the stalk should join the lower leaf. It is sometimes spelt caterfoil.

OR (Gold or Yellow): Known as 'jaune'; symbolizes generosity and elevation of the mind; one of the two metals of Heraldry. 'Or' is from Latin aurum): the chief of the tinctures; it is called Sol by those who blazon by the sun and planets.

Next we will do the crest:

GREYHOUND: Are one of the oldest breeds of dogs, and appear in art and literature throughout history. The breed was developed nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt. Known in England before the 9th century, the Greyhound was bred and raised by the aristocracy. For 700 years it was illegal under English law for a commoner to own a Greyhound. It was used to hunt small game, especially hares. In ancient Egypt the Greyhound were not only companions, but they were revered and almost worshiped; they were cherished so much that a birth of one was second in importance only to the birth of a human boy. When a pet Greyhound died the entire family mourned by shaving their heads, fasting and crying. When Greyhounds died, they were buried, mummified, and placed in the tomb of their owner. Often the tombs were decorated with figures of favorite Greyhounds. Greek mythological figures were often portrayed with Greyhounds and Hecate, goddess of wealth, is often shown with a Greyhound. The same is true for Pollex, protector of the hunt. The ancient Romans also had an appreciation of the Greyhound; their Gods and Goddesses, were shown with Greyhounds.

COUPED: Cut off smoothly, as distinguished from erased and is especially used to describe the way the head or limb of an animal is displayed.

PER PALE: Represents two or more branches of the same family being represented on one coat of arms or a reference to kinfolk such as the house of the father and the house of the mother etc.

OR (Gold or Yellow): Known as 'jaune'; symbolizes generosity and elevation of the mind; one of the two metals of Heraldry. 'Or' is from Latin aurum): the chief of the tinctures; it is called Sol by those who blazon by the sun and planets.

SABLE (Black): Derived from animals with black feet called Sable; signifies constancy or sometimes grief; mysteriousness.

SALTIRE: The term is from Middle English sautire, which is from Middle French saultoir or saulter to jump, or from Latin saltare. In the days of old the Saltire was made of the height of man and was driven full of pinnes (metal pegs), the use whereof was to scale the low walls of towns; from this interpretation the Saltire was bestowed upon one who was successful in accomplishing such a military mission. The Saltire is also known as St. Andrew’s cross as according to legend is that shape because the apostle Andrew petitioned the Roman authorities who had sentenced him to death not to crucify him on the same shape of cross as Christ, and this was granted. St. Andrew is Scotland’s patron saint and the Saltire is today its flag and national symbol; from this interpretation the Saltire is in recognition of Scotland, its patron saint, faith and resolution.

COUNTER-CHANGED (fr. Contre): Simply means opposite.

Next week we will showcase the coat-of-arms of 'Foreman'.

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