Hector Rojas Heraldry

This is the most common confusion in heraldry! The Coat of Arms refers to the entire composition—the shield, the helmet, the mantling (cloth), and the motto. The Crest is only the object that sits on top of the helmet (originally, a physical sculpture worn by knights in tournaments).

Calling the whole thing a "crest" is like calling a whole car a "hood ornament."

In the vast majority of cases, the answer is no. In the strict British tradition (and enforced by law in Scotland), coats of arms are granted to individuals, not to surnames. They are inherited like a peerage or a piece of property: from father to heir.

Just because someone named "Smith" had a coat of arms in 1500 AD does not mean every "Smith" today has the right to use it. While many European countries are slightly more flexible, the general rule of thumb is that arms belong to a specific lineage, not a broad last name. READ MORE

I strongly advise against it. These companies (often called "bucket shops" by heraldists) sell the same image to everyone with the same last name. It is almost certainly not your specific arms.

Even if you live in a country without heraldic laws, using these is historically inaccurate and, in serious circles, considered a faux pas—tantamount to "stolen valor" in a heraldic sense.

This depends entirely on where you live:

• If you are British (especially Scottish): You are subject to strict laws. In Scotland, the "Court of the Lord Lyon" can legally prosecute you for using unauthorized arms. You generally must petition the government for a Grant of Arms.
• For the rest of us (USA, most of Europe, and the World): We have much more freedom. In these "unregulated" jurisdictions, you are free to "assume" (design and adopt) your own arms, provided you don't infringe on trademarks. However, to ensure they are respectable and "heraldically correct," it is vital to follow the international traditions of design, which is where I come in.

You will often hear that "red means warrior's blood" or "gold means generosity." These are Victorian inventions and are not historical rules.

In real heraldry, you choose colors and symbols because they look good, offer high contrast, or have personal meaning to you. A lion can represent courage, or it can simply represent that you like lions!

The blazon is the technical, written description of the arms (e.g., Azure, a bend Or). In heraldic law and tradition, this text is the definitive "source code"—it is actually more important than the drawing!

Think of the blazon like a musical score. Beethoven wrote the notes (the blazon), but every orchestra (the artist) plays it slightly differently. This is why you can commission five different artists to paint your arms, and you will get five unique interpretations. The blazon ensures the identity; the artist provides the style.

Absolutely. While medieval heraldry was male-centric due to its military origins, modern heraldry is inclusive.

In the strict British tradition, women historically displayed arms on a "lozenge" (diamond shape) or oval. However, in the modern international tradition (and increasingly in official jurisdictions too), many women choose to display their arms on a standard shield.

My commissions start at $300 USD. I specialize exclusively in digital vector heraldry.

This medium offers distinct advantages: it produces crisp, infinitely scalable images perfect for everything from stationery to websites to large banners. Because I work digitally, I can offer professional heraldic art at a more accessible price point and with faster turnaround times than artists who work with traditional hand-painting on vellum (which often costs significantly more and takes months to complete).

That is exactly what I am here for! You don't need to be an artist; you just need to share your story.

We will discuss your heritage, your profession, your hobbies, and your aesthetic tastes. I will then translate those abstract ideas into correct heraldic symbolism.

You can, but it is generally discouraged if you want a timeless look. Heraldry is an ancient language.

Instead of a computer, we might use a "book" or a "torch" to symbolize knowledge. Instead of a car, we might use a "wheel." The goal is to create a design that would look as appropriate in 1425 as it does in 2025.

Because they are the "kings" of beasts and birds! However, because they were so popular in the Middle Ages, they are now very "crowded" (hard to make unique).

I often encourage clients to look at more unique animals—badgers, owls, otters, or even mythical beasts—to ensure their arms stand out.

This is the golden rule of heraldic design: "Never put a color on a color, or a metal on a metal."

Metals are Gold (Yellow) and Silver (White). Colors are Red, Blue, Black, Green, and Purple. This rule exists for visibility—so your shield can be identified across a battlefield (or a room) instantly.

Because I dedicate significant research and focus to every individual piece, I always have a list of active commissions. The timeline works in two stages:

• The Queue: First, you secure your place in my schedule by submitting a retainer fee. Depending on my current workload, you can typically expect a wait of 1-3 weeks before I actively start working on your specific design.
• The Creation: Once I begin your piece, the process (sketching, vectorizing, and refining) usually takes another 1-2 weeks to reach the final draft. READ MORE

You will receive high-resolution digital files (for printing, stationery, or web use) and a document containing the official "Blazon" (written description) and the history of the design choices we made. READ MORE

• In the UK/Scotland/Canada: There are government bodies (College of Arms, Lord Lyon, Canadian Heraldic Authority) that grant and register arms.
• In the US and International: There is no government registry. However, there are reputable private registries (like the U.S. Heraldic Registry or the New England Historic Genealogical Society) where you can record your assumed arms to establish a date of usage and protect your design within the community.

Quartering is dividing the shield into four (or more) sections to show that you have inherited arms from multiple heiresses. In the British tradition, this is strictly regulated by genealogy.

For those of us assuming new arms, we generally stick to a single, unified image. You cannot "quarter" two designs just because you like them—that implies a specific ancestry you may not have.

A motto is a short phrase (usually on a scroll below the shield) that expresses your philosophy. It can be in any language (Latin is traditional, but English is perfectly fine).

It is optional, but most clients enjoy selecting one.

You can certainly use a helmet (helm)! In American and international heraldry, we typically use the "Tilting Helm" (a steel helmet in profile).

Crowns (coronets), however, are strictly reserved for nobility. Even though you may live in a republic where no one can stop you from painting a crown on your shield, doing so is considered pretentious and "heraldically incorrect" by the community. We respect the traditions of rank, even if we are not bound by its laws.

Once you assume and use your arms, they become "hereditary property" by custom. Your children can inherit them.

In the British tradition, there is a complex system of "cadency" (adding small symbols) for younger children. In other European and American traditions, it is often acceptable for all children to use the undifferenced arms of the father. READ MORE

You could design a logo in Photoshop, but it wouldn't be heraldry. A professional ensures your design follows 800 years of rules, is technically describable (blazonable), and carries the dignity that a coat of arms deserves.

Whether you are petitioning a King of Arms or assuming your own design, I ensure your arms are not just a pretty picture, but a lasting legacy. GET YOUR QUOTE