Right to bear arms?

[NedSumner]

My great (x4) grandfather was awarded a coat of arms which said (paraphrasing) "which can be used by any of his descendants". Do I count?

[NedSumner]

Additionally, is there any cost involved in using it?

[KGarrad]

As long as you descend in the male line, then you have the right.

If this is England/Wales, then that's the end of it.
If Scotland, then the Law still applies, and you can be prosecuted for using Arms to which you are not entitled.


Quoting from The College of Arms website:
For any person to have a right to a coat of arms they must either have had it granted to them or be descended in the legitimate male line from a person to whom arms were granted or confirmed in the past.

[MaecW]

Ned,

As K Garrad said the usual English grant states that to be lawful a user has to be descended in the legitimate male line from a person to whom arms were granted.

Not all heraldic authorities follow the same set of rules so I wonder if this grant "which said (paraphrasing) "which can be used by any of his descendants" was not made by the College of Arms in London, or by the Lyon King of Arms in Scotland, but by some other authority ?

Maec

[BushInn1746]

My great (x4) grandfather was awarded a coat of arms which said (paraphrasing) "which can be used by any of his descendants". Do I count?

It would seem the Arms are also altered and registered to show that you are not the original holder anyway and Cadency, if a Cadet.

Email the issuing Government's Official Heraldry Office for Arms and Crests your (Document / Grant / Will) and they will advise.

I've come across College of Arms:-
For England
http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/resources/faqs

[KGarrad]

The OP hasn't been back since the latest post here, last July?!