ARMIGERS Meaning and
Definition
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Armigers are individuals who have the legal right to bear and display a coat of arms. The term "armiger" is derived from the Latin word "arma" which means armor, and is often used to refer to those who have been granted or inherited the right to use a coat of arms as a symbol of their family heritage and social standing.
Historically, armigers were primarily members of the nobility or gentry who were granted a coat of arms by a recognized heraldic authority. These coats of arms consisted of various heraldic symbols, colors, and designs that represented the individual or their family lineage. Armigers would often display their coat of arms on personal belongings, such as shields, banners, seals, or even garments.
In modern times, the term "armigers" can also refer to individuals who have applied to and been officially recognized by a recognized heraldic authority as a legitimate armiger. This recognition can come through a process such as submitting a detailed genealogical history or proving a direct ancestral link to a historical armiger.
Armigers often take pride in their family heritage and coat of arms, seeing it as a symbol of their history, achievements, and social status. They may use their coat of arms for ceremonial purposes, such as on formal documents, invitations, or as a decorative element in their homes. Overall, armigers represent a continuation of the tradition of heraldry and coat of arms, connecting individuals to their past and establishing a visual representation of their family's identity.
Etymology of ARMIGERS
The word "armigers" has Latin roots. It is derived from the Latin word "armiger", which is a combination of "arma" meaning "arms" or "weapons" and "gerere" meaning "to bear" or "to carry". In medieval times, an armiger referred to a person who bore or carried the coat of arms, typically a knight or a squire. Over time, the word "armigers" came to be used as a plural noun referring to a group of individuals who held the right to bear a coat of arms.
