Armorial Granting Authorities

Canadian Heraldic Authority

Canadian Heraldic Authority (Canada)

The Canadian Heraldic Authority (CHA) is the Canadian government service that creates coats of arms, flags, and badges. It works to the highest standards of the art form, and its practices are at an international level of excellence.

The work of the CHA includes:

  • The creation of arms, flags, and badges

  • The recording of historical emblems

  • The approval of badges and flags of the Canadian Armed Forces

  • The recording of First Nations emblems

  • The promotion of Canadian heraldry

 
College of Arms

College of Arms (United Kingdom)

The College of Arms The College of Arms is the official heraldic authority for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and much of the Commonwealth including Australia and New Zealand.

 
Lord Lyon

Court of Lord Lyon (Scotland)

The Lord Lyon is responsible for granting new Arms in Scotland. The Court of Lord Lyon is an administrative function from which there is no appeal other than seeking Judicial Review, and the matriculation of Arms, a judicial function from which there is appeal directly to the Court of Session and ultimately to the Supreme Court.

 
Chief Herald of Ireland

Chief Herald of Ireland (Ireland)

The Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland is part of the Genealogy and Heraldry division of the National Library of Ireland. The Chief Herald is responsible for the granting and confirming of arms to individuals and corporate bodies. All arms granted are recorded in the Register of Arms, maintained since the foundation of the Office in 1552.