Heraldry first developed in the 12th century in Europe as an outgrowth of chivalric culture. Designs were placed on banners, shields, and surcoats, and were worn by knights in tournaments for easy identification. These designs were eventually used in miniature depictions of the shields, complete with a helm, crest, etc., on personal seals and tombs of great knights. Heraldry became a way of identifying great men at an instant. The primary heraldic device is the coat of arms, or arms.
Arms are individual.
Some European countries have developed heraldic systems were anyone with a given surname can wear the same arms. This is unusual, however, and is not the case in most countries, including Scotland. Arms are granted to an individual and may only be bore by that individual and then passed on to his or her heir upon the armiger s death. This fact has been upheld in Scotland by the Acts of the Scottish Parliament of 1592 and 1672. We will not go too much into cadency here, but it is enough to know what the term means.