Where does the coat of arms come from? Can one make one up for his family?

Question:

Where does the coat of arms come from? Can one make one up for his family?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Coats of arms are rooted in history. A few hundred years ago, countries weren't unified, and there often was no national military but a bunch of groups managed by different lords instead of a king. Coats of arms and family crests were often emblazoned onto armour and flags so people could recognize each other in battle. They were a quick way of figuring out who was who in everyday life. The designs on coats of arms held specific meanings--a lion for bravery, for example, or a thistle to show pride in Scottish heritage.

With the introduction of a formal military in lieu of private bands of warriors, plus less of an emphasis on people's roots and last names today, coats of arms are less common, but they still exist. There are a bunch of Web sites that can help you track yours.

And yes, you can make up your own coat of arms. David and Victoria Beckham created one. If you are familiar with the computer game Tombraider, the character Lara Croft apparently creates her own crest after her family disowns her.