Armorial of the United States

This article is about the present collection of coats of arms of the United States. For an overview of those presented in the historical works State Arms of the Union (1876) and Series 1882BB National Bank Notes, see Historical armorial of U.S. states from 1876.

The coats of arms of the U.S. states are coats of arms, that are an official symbol of the state, alongside their seal. Eighteen states have officially adopted coats of arms. The former independent Republic of Texas and Kingdom of Hawaii each had a separate national coat of arms, which are no longer used.

Heraldic arms were worn (embroidered) on a coat which knights wore over their armor, hence coat of arms,[1] a term which dates back roughly 1,000 years[2] to jousting tournaments.[3] A state coat of arms may exist independently of the seal, but the reverse is not generally the case.[4] A seal contains a coat of arms or other devices[5][6] whereas a state coat of arms constitutes the bulk of a seal,[6][7] except for the wording identifying it as the "Great Seal of the State of..."[8] A "seal" has been described as the design impressed on public or legislative official documents,[9] whereas a coat of arms generally appears for illustrative purposes. Examples include flags and banners,[10] and state militia uniform caps[11] and buttons,[12] as well as specifically-designed regimental coats of arms for U.S. Infantry Regiments, and National Guard units.[13]

A coat of arms of a nation or state is usually the design or device of the obverse of its seal. It is an official emblem, mark of identification, and symbol of the authority of the government of a nation or state. A nation or state's coat of arms is oftentimes referred to as the national or state arms.

— Office of the Secretary of State of Texas, 2010[14]
  1. ^ Pinnock, William (1840). A Catechism of Heraldry: Explaining the Nature and Use of Arms and Armoury. Whittaker and Co. p. 3.
  2. ^ Clark, Hugh; Wormull, Thomas (1854). An Introduction to Heraldry. Henry Washbourne & Co. p. 1. arms heraldry.
  3. ^ Clark, Hugh; Wormull, Thomas (1854). An Introduction to Heraldry. Henry Washbourne & Co. p. 3. arms heraldry.
  4. ^ Nainfa, John A. (1909). "Costume of Prelates of the Catholic Church: According to Roman Etiquette". John Murphy Company. John Murphy: 139.
  5. ^ Crabb, George (1823). Universal Technological Dictionary or Familiar Explanations of the Terms Used in All Arts and Sciences. Vol. 2. Baldwin, Cradock, and Joy. p. 466.
  6. ^ a b Tannehill, Joseph W. (1917). Ohio Interrogation Points. Vic Donahey (Auditor of the State). pp. 19–20.
  7. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1985). State of Wisconsin Blue Book (1985-1986). Department of Administration (Wisconsin). pp. 958–960.
  8. ^ Moore, Opha (1907). "The Great Seal of Ohio". The Ohio Illustrated Magazine. 2 (1). The Ohio Magazine Publishing Company: 252–53.
  9. ^ Crabb, George (1823). Universal Technological Dictionary or Familiar Explanations of the Terms Used in All Arts and Sciences. Vol. 2. Baldwin, Cradock, and Joy. p. 466.
  10. ^ Harris, John T. (1916). West Virginia Legislative Handbook and Manual and Official Register. The Tribune Printing Co. pp. 350–51.
  11. ^ Utah Military Department (1902). Regulations for the National Guard of Utah. p. 79.
  12. ^ Adjutant General's Office (1901). Rules and Regulations Governing the Kansas National Guard. W.Y. Morgan, State Printer. p. 108.
  13. ^ Swinton, William (1870). History of the Seventh Regiment, National Guard, State of New York. Fields, Osgood, & Co. p. 3. coat of arms state militia regimental.
  14. ^ "The Texas State Seal". sos.state.tx.us. Office of the Texas Secretary of State. 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2022.