is there a real family crest/coat of arms

Question

im just wondering if any one know if there is a real family coat of arms/crest for the paul family

Comments

There is no such thing as a Family coat of arns (unless you come from some European countries).  The coat of arms is individual to a person and changes for every new member of the family.  The arms were originally granted by the king so that the followers of a knight would be able to identify their leader in battle.

If you find a company that offers a "Family Coat of Arms" before you pay them, ask which member of your family was entitled to that design.  Then check that there is a direct line of succession to you, if there is, you are entitled to a coat of arms, but it will be different to that of your ancestor.

Remember, each knight had a couple of hundred families that were not entitled to arms beneath him so the chance of your family coming from nobility are VERY slim.

Answer 1

Have a look at

http://www.houseofnames.com/paul-family-crest

 

Answer 2

Be sure to read up on coats of arms at Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms

In many places, including England, coats of arms were not assigned to families but to specific individuals, and would pass from father to oldest son.

Around the turn of the last century and well into the 20th, it became popular for people in the U.S. to find and "adopt" or claim coats of arms associated with their ancestors. Depending on the heraldry and country, this practice is not legal or officially recognized.

So be careful about assuming that just because someone with your last name had a coat of arms, that doesn't mean it passed down.

Comments

I have in my posession a very nice coat of arms for the Hirst family of England. While I don't know for sure, I suspect this is a total fabrication, done in mid 20th century for my mother's brother. Its very nice, hand painted on vellum, probably cost a pretty penny, but I don't believe it existed before he commissioned it. It includes a shiedl in the center of which is a small group of trees on a hill top. The very definition of a hurst.

Answer 3

the only Official place for enquiries regarding Coats of Arms or Heraldic Emblems in the United Kingdom, is "The College Of Arms".                  130 Queen Victoria Street, London, England. EC4V 4BT.  just south of St Pauls Cathederal.   or www.college-of-arms.gov.uk     i hope this is of use.

Comments

Not so.  Also Lord Lyon in Scotland -where the law is strictly enforced.

Answer 4

There are many faked Crests and Coat of Arms being marketed.  Before accepting a Coat of Arms as authentic to your family, do the follow up research.  I have investigated many in my line and have not found one as reliable yet.  There have been many books written that make their version sound so good.  Before you adopt one be sure it is for your line not a cousins.  Happy hunting.

Answer 5

This website has 12 different arms for the surname Paul:

https://coadb.com/surnames/paul-arms.html