Coat of Arms T-shirt?

[macwilkin]

Since you and I do not live in Scotland--and make no mistake, the laws are different in various parts of the UK--arms are not "property" nor is it illegal to wear it. Your family love and devotion is admirable, so do as you think best. Getting a tee shirt won't be a big deal. A no one will think you are trying to pass yourself off as a noble or something. I'm not even sure whether the arms you have are registered with the Lord Lyon.

Jim,

Yes, you correct; since the United States has no governmental agency regulating ensigns armorials, then technically, it is not illegal for an American to display arms. However, I would much rather see an American citizen "assume" arms of their own design rather than "usurp" someone elses, regardless of whether they can be prosecuted by the Lyon Court or not.

An American citizen may register assume arms with an organization, such as the New England Historic & Genealogical Society's Committee on Heraldry, or a foreign government such as Spain or the Republic of South Africa. Some Americans may even receive a grant of arms from a heraldic authority such as the Lord Lyon.

Speaking for myself only, I could not, in good conscience, display or wear arms that were not my own. I respect the traditions and customs of heraldry to do otherwise. What others do is their own business of course, and they must deal with their conscience.

Regards,

Todd