The use of symbols to distinguish people from each other began in ancient history, and tribes which used such tactics, notably the Picti and the Keltoi, who painted their faces blue by the use of woad dye, have been from diverse areas and ethnicities. This was the first type of what became the science of heraldry.

Heraldry however, as it is presently defined was first used after the conquests of the Norman groups in Britain in 1066 AD.It gained in popularity quite rapidly, becoming a means to identify the members of your own group on a battlefield, by the use of their shields and armor. Heraldry is of special importances in genealogy research, since the right to use a certain device does mean a relationship with the another person. It can also be that the genealogist will find a link that will give the man and his family the right to use a particular coat of arms during the course of his or her genealogical research.

In point of fact heraldry was established for that very reason. Personal “devices” used on shields, the surcoat that was worn over armor and on flags or pennants or banners carried onto the battlefield, as well as the postings, the trappings on the horse, were a means of identification of knights and combatants on a battlefield, a jousting field or other times when two opposing groups came together.

Each device and the colors were distinct for its owner, and were used most commonly on the shields and surcoats.
They were used primarily by the higher classes, or the high nobles, however later, during the 13th century, they also came into play by some of the lesser nobles as well as knights.

A coat of arms, by the customs under which it was developed, and later as established by the laws that granted authority for use,belonged only to one man t a time, and was passed by him to his descendants in what was called the “male tail” or the direct male descendant.
The coat of arms for a family name is essentially a fallacy, since it was essentially one man’s alone.

By virtue of the way in which the coat of arms flowed through the family, the subject of heraldry holds a very significant place in genealogy research because it can prove evidence of the relationship in the family if, in fact it is being used correctly.