Petition for Scottish
Arms
The Clan Strachan Society will provide consultation services,
free of charge, for any
Member of the Society in good standing to petition the Court of the Lord Lyon
for armorial bearings.
The main costs associated with obtaining a family coat of arms are time, and money... both of which are discussed below. Members interested in this service are instructed to contact Jim Strachan for further assistance.
Jim has successfully completed petitions for himself, LCDR Bill Strachan in Australia, the Clan Strachan Society, and is presently assisting two other individuals in obtaining Scottish Arms. One located in Scotland, the other resides in Australia.
Assistance:
The Clan Strachan Scottish Heritage Society will provide free assistance to any member in good standing who wishes to obtain a Coat of Arms, and will work closely with you and the Lyon Court to assist in obtaining your Arms. We offer a document review service, as well as assist in drafting your individualized petition to the Lyon Court. Important to remember, the Lyon Court is all about heraldry and genealogy. In order to obtain a Grant or Matriculation of Arms, the petitioner will have to provide original or certified copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates to evidence British citizenry or lineage to a Scottish ancestor (see Eligibility below).
Cost:
All fees are paid directly by you to the Lord Lyon Court. The Clan Strachan Society charges nothing, and receives no compensation from the Court of the Lord Lyon if a Grant or Matriculation of Arms is obtained. The Lyon Court charges nothing unless a petition or matriculation of Arms is granted. That being said, the cost varies depending on whether you are applying for a new Grant of Arms, or a Matriculation of an already existing Arms. According to the Lord Lyon Scale of Fees (as of the time this article was written) the cost for obtaining a new Grant of Arms ranged between £894 and £1,899... depending on the detail of artwork desired. A Matriculation of an already existing coat of Arms is considerably less expensive.
Eligibility:
UK and British Commonwealth. Anyone domiciled in the United Kingdom or in Her Majesty's overseas realms or in the Commonwealth can apply to the Lord Lyon King of Arms of Scotland for a grant or matriculation of Arms. (except those of English, Welsh or Irish ancestry, who should approach the College of Arms in London, or the Chief Herald of Ireland in Dublin).
Foreign Countries. Arms are not generally granted to non-British citizens (though those of Scottish ancestry can apply to the Lord Lyon King of Arms for a posthumous grant in memory of an ancestor and a subsequent cadet matriculation). Foreigners of Scottish descent can sometimes arrange for a cousin in Scotland, or in one of Her Majesty's overseas realms, to receive Arms from the Lord Lyon King of Arms, and thereafter themselves to obtain a cadet matriculation. Also, if an American (for example) can provide certified copies of birth and marriage certificates evidencing decent from a deceased Scottish ancestor, they may apply for a Posthumous Grant of Arms in memory of that Ancestor, and a concurrent Matriculation in your name. In any of such cases guidance should be sought from the Lyon Clerk as to the circumstances of each case.
Documentation & Legal:
In addition to your petition for a Grant and/or Matriculation of Arms, you will need to submit to the Court of the Lord Lyon original or certified copies of marriage and birth records. The Society only provides advise and consultation for your petition to the Court of the Lord Lyon, and receives no remuneration for this service. The Clan Strachan Scottish Heritage Society uses reasonable efforts to ensure all information provided is true and accurate, but makes no warranty, express or implied, that said information is error free. The ultimate decision for all matters pertaining to the Grant or Matriculation of Arms lies with the Court of the Lord Lyon.