Coats of Arms
A Statement by Garter King of Arms - P L Gwynn-Jones, Esq. LVO MA
HERALDRY - THE COLLEGE OF ARMS
The College of Arms holds the official register of all Coats of Arms or heraldry in
England and Wales (the Court of Lord Lyon has jurisdiction in Scotland).
Since the early 15th century, the Sovereign has delegated the power to grant new Coats of
Arms to the senior Heralds or Kings of Arms. In 1484 the Heralds were incorporated into
the College of Arms which has been on the same site since 1555.
Only the Kings of Arms may make grants or confirmations of Arms. Unless
Coats of Arms appear in the official register at the College of Arms, they are not
authentic and their use in England and Wales is contrary to the Laws of Arms. The register
consists of approximately 700 volumes and only a very small proportion of their contents
has ever been published.
The Kings of Arms continue to grant new Coats of Arms under the Crown to eligible persons
and their descendants and to worthy corporate bodies. Their writ extends to Australia, New
Zealand and certain other countries of which the Queen is Sovereign. Honorary grants of
Coats of Arms may also be made to eligible American citizens who have a proven descent
from a British subject.
WARNING: There has recently been a spate of shops and other
organizations selling heraldic plaques and other items purporting to represent Coats of
Arms associated with a specific surname. Their sources are unofficial and unreliable
printed works of reference, which are far from comprehensive and contain numerous errors
and omissions. There is no such thing as a Coat of Arms for a surname, as Coats of Arms
belong only to the original grantees and their descendants in the male line.
The following is a collection of coats of arms awarded to STARLING's through out history.
| This coat of arms was awarded to
Sir William Starling of Stopplesy Hall, Bedfordshire, England, who was knighted in 1661. This may be the same William Starling who was made Lord Mayor of London in 1702. A colour rendition of the coat of arms shows the shield as white with the diagonal "sash" as a powder blue or sky blue. The buckles are gold. |
 |
Copyright 1997, 1998, 1999 by Paul Starling