Scottish heraldic flavor

[macwilkin]

Well said, David!

I would only add that someone earlier made the suggestion at arms are not "earned", unlike an officer's commission (which forgets that for a long time, commissions were purchased) -- but for many, the symbols on their arms are "earned" -- symbols of their profession, education, civil and military service, membership in civil, religious and chivalric orders -- not only does their arms serve as a tie to their ancestors, as Rathdown mentioned, it also serves as an artists' rendition of their life.

In genealogy, names and dates are only one part of the story -- the details are frequently never told through census records and birth certificates. The blazon of someone's arms can tell us a bit more about that person in terms of the symbolism described above.

Regards,

Todd