We research names and find the coat of arms or family crest that goes with that name. We have over 110 volumes from all European countries, and have been researching now since 1974. A Coat of arms is form of Identification before we had surnames as we know them today. The first shield was in Germany as a secular shield in the year 937. Heraldry finally caught on in the 1100's and after 1458 was used in tournaments or what they called melee's. 2 knights in armor would try to knock the other one off his horse with a long lance, and once one was down off his horse, the other would get off his and they would go into battle against each other. The old shields were made of steel, and are on exhibit in London Museum, as well as the Glasgow museum and other museum's through out the continent in Europe. It was only in Europe that coat of arms were used. The only Asian country that took part was Japan, and the Samurai's had flower designs on their Kimono's. We have one volume of Japanese Mons as they are called.
