Foreman 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 Foreman from England. Information for this coat-of-arms was found in 'Rietstaps Armorial General'.

ARMS: Barry wavy of six argent (silver) and azure (blue) on a chevron sable (black) three martlets or (gold) on a chief gules (red) a lion passant between two anchors or (gold)

CREST: A demi dragon rampant vert (green)

MOTTO: SEMPER EADEM (Always The Same)

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

BARRY WAVY: It is said that troubles keep us in continuous exercise and reminders of providence, as waves in a storm at sea.

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

AZURE (Blue): Blue was called ‘azure’ by heralds, and represents the color of an eastern sky on a clear day. It also corresponds to the metal tin. The word, ‘azure’ was introduced from the east during the Crusades. It signifies piety and sincerity, and is equated with autumn. In engravings it is represented by horizontal lines.

CHEVRON: The term is from 14th century Middle English, from Middle French, rafter, and chevron. It generally denotes Protection and was granted as a reward to one who has achieved some notable enterprise. Said to represent the roof tree of a house or the zigzag molding, or group of moldings, common in Norman architecture. It has sometimes been given to those who have built churches or fortresses or who have accomplished some work of faithful service. Worn by gallant soldiers.

SABLE (Black): Black, the coldest of the colors, corresponds to lead. Black, or ‘sable,’ is symbolic of sadness. It also corresponds with winter and is a humble color, suitable for the deeply religious. It denotes the qualities of knowledge, piety, serenity and work. Engravers represent it with numerous horizontal and vertical lines crossing each other.

MARTLET: A fanciful bird somewhat resembling a swallow, but having short tufts of feathers in the place of legs. When used as a difference it denotes the fourth son.

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.

CHIEF: An honorable ordinary occupying the whole of the top and one-third of the total surface of the shield, and it has often been granted as a special reward for prudence and wisdom, as well as for successful command in war. The Chief betoken a senator or honorable personage borrowed from the Greeks, and is a word signifying a ‘head’, in which sense we call capitaneous (so named for caput, the head), a chieftain. And as the head is the chief part of a man, so the Chief in the escutcheon should be a reward of such one, whose high merits have procured them chief place, esteem, or love amongst men.

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.

LION: An emblem of majesty, strength, and justice, military might and deathless courage, the Lion was indeed a foe to fear. The French heralds call the lion passant a leopard; accordingly Napoleon said to his soldiers, "Let us drive these leopards (the English) into the sea." In heraldry any Lion not rampant is often called a lion leopardé. The Lion is also an emblem of the resurrection; according to tradition, the lion's whelp is born dead, and remains so for three days, when the father breathes on it and it receives life. Another tradition is that the Lion is the only animal of the cat tribe born with its eyes open, and it is said that it sleeps with its eyes open; although not completely true the Lion does sleep watchfully and lightly. The Lion in the arms of Scotland is derived from the arms of the ancient Earls of Northumberland and Huntingdon, from whom some of the Scottish monarchs were descended. The Lions in the arms of England: They are three Lions passant guardant, i.e. walking and showing the full face. The first Lion was that of Rollo, Duke of Normandy, and the second represented the country of Maine, which was added to Normandy. These were the two Lions borne by William the Conqueror and his descendants. Henry II added a third Lion to represent the Duchy of Aquitaine, which came to him through his wife Eleanor. Commonly referred to as "the KING of the beasts," it is a symbol of kingly power and might, but as the lioness it is commonly related to the Great Mother and to protection.

PASSANT: Walking, three feet on the ground; head in profile; emblematic of resolution.

ANCHOR: The Christian emblem of hope and refuge; awarded to sea warriors for special feats performed; the Greeks and Romans referred to the anchor as sacred as it was always dedicated to some god. The anchor was given to Clement of Rome and Nicolas of Bari. Nicolas of Bari is the patron saint of sailors. Also signifies steadfastness and stability. In seafaring nations, the anchor is a symbol of good luck, of safety, and of security, and thus of trust and confidence. 

Next we will discuss the crest:

DEMI OR DEMY: French for half. When applied to an animal, its upper or fore half is always intended; when any thing inanimate, generally the dexter (right side) half per pale.

DRAGON: Its head is that of a serpent, with a forked tongue and ears. The body is that of a lion, but it is represented scaled, and the large wings are webbed and pointed, and resemble those of a bat. The legs are also scaled, and the feet are represented with webbed talons. The dragon is the most valiant of all living creatures because of his sharpness of sight and therefore it symbolizes the defender of treasure and worldliness. The Anglo-Saxon word "dragon" is derived from the Greek, "to see clearly", hinting at the Dragon's gift of prophecy. Although Dragons were often born out of destruction and chaos, the dragon to some cultures was an emblem of good fortune & perfection. Found in many cultures it became a symbol for volatility, the search for secret knowledge, finding your way through all things, Alchemy, the elements, eternal change, discovery of hidden treasures and the protector of all you possess.

RAMPANT: Erect on his hind legs; face in profile; emblematic of prudence and magnanimity.

MEANING OF NAME: Status name for a leader or spokesman for a group, from Old English fore ‘before’, ‘in front’ + mann ‘man’. The word is attested in this sense from the 15th century, but is not used specifically for the leader of a gang of workers before the late 16th century. It is also an occupational name for a keeper of swine, Middle English foreman, from Old English for ‘hog’, ‘pig’ + mann ‘man’.

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

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