Heraldry in the USA

A Roll of Early American Arms

Compiled by Eric Hall, Arian Collins, and Joseph McMillan
Illustrated by Eric Hall, Robert Tucker, Scott Denison, Joseph McMillan, and Chuck Glass

Personal heraldry has been used in what is now the United States since the earliest European settlements. This roll of arms borne in the present-day United States before 1825, compiled by AHS members, is intended to document the vitality of the American heraldic tradition over the years.

Note: Arms are included in this roll based on use as attributed by the sources given. Where it has been possible to validate the user's right to the arms or actual use of them, that information is provided. Names given in italics indicate that we are unaware of any contemporary evidence that the person to whom the sources attribute the arms actually used them, but this should not necessarily be interpreted as evidence of non-use of the arms.

Arms are indexed by the first letter of the armiger's last name. Names beginning with the particules "de," "von," "van," and the like are generally found under the name of the principal word in the surname. Where a person bore multiple surnames, or a surname and title, the arms appear under the name by which he or she is best known in the United States.


  • ARM NAME BLAZON COMMENTS SOURCE
  • Ward, Nathaniel (in Ipswich, Mass, 1634-bef 1647; d. Shenfield, Essex, 1653) Graphic

    Ward, Nathaniel (in Ipswich, Mass, 1634-bef 1647; d. Shenfield, Essex, 1653)

    Quarterly, 1st and 4th three quatrefoils; 2nd and 3rd three water-bougets [tinctures not given]

    Seal on letter to Gov John Winthrop, with a crescent in fess point for difference

    Bolton
  • Ward, Andrew (Essex, Eng, 1598-Fairfield, Conn, 1659) Graphic

    1. Ward, Andrew (Essex, Eng, 1598-Fairfield, Conn, 1659)
    2. Ward, William (in Sudbury, Mass, 1639)
    3. Ward, John (in Newport, R.I., 1673)
    4. Ward, Richard (Newport, R.I., 1689-1742)

    Azure a cross flory Or

    1. See previous entry for other attributed arms.
    4. Tombstone, Thames Street Burying Ground, Newport; descendant of John Ward, #2

    1. Vermont
    2. Crozier 1, Vermont
    3. Vermont, Crozier 1
    4. Vermont, Zieber
    , Bolton
  • Ward, Andrew (Essex, Eng, 1598-Fairfield, Conn, 1659) Graphic

    Ward, Andrew (Essex, Eng, 1598-Fairfield, Conn, 1659)

    Azure a cross between four eagles displayed Argent

    Arms granted 1593 to Ward of Gorleson, Suffolk. See next entry for other attributed arms.

    Crozier 1
  • Wanton, William, (Scituate, Mass, 1670-Newport, 1733) Graphic

    1. Wanton, William, (Scituate, Mass, 1670-Newport, 1733)
    2. Wanton, John (Scituate, Mass, 1672-Newport, 1740)

    Azure a chevron Ermine between three griffins’ heads couped Gules [sic]

    1. On a portrait painted late 1700s; governor of Rhode Island, 1732-33; brother of John Wanton, #2
    2. On a portrait painted late 1700s; governor of Rhode Island, 1734-40; brother of William Wanton, #1. See alternative arms above.
    Also on an old family seal.

    1. Bolton
    2. Bolton
  • Wanton, John (Scituate, Mass, 1672-Newport, 1740) Graphic

    1. Wanton, John (Scituate, Mass, 1672-Newport, 1740)
    2. Wanton, George (Scituate, Mass, 1694-Newport, 1752)
    3. Wanton, William (Scituate, Mass, 1696-1735)
    4. Wanton, Gideon (Tiverton, R.I., 1693-Newport, 1767)

    Argent a chevron Sable

    1. Seal on official documents as governor of Rhode Island, 1734-40. See alternative arms below.
    2. Tomb of his wife Abigail (d. 1726), North Burial Ground, Newport. Crozier mentions an annulet in dexter chief for difference; son of Gov William Wanton, entry below; nephew of John Wanton, #1.
    3. On his tomb, Trinity Churchyard, Newport; brother of George Wanton, #2.
    4. On his seal; nephew of John Wanton, #1, and William Wanton, entry below; governor of Rhode Island, 1745-46 and 1747-48.

    1. Bolton, Her Jl 2:46
    2. Crozier 1, Bolton, Her Jl 3:64
    3. Bolton, Her Jl 3:8
    4. Bolton, Her Jl 2:46
  • Walworth, William (London, ca 1666-Groton, Conn, 1703) Graphic

    Walworth, William (London, ca 1666-Groton, Conn, 1703)

    Gules a bend engrailed Argent between two garbs Or

    Crozier 1, Matthews
  • Walton, William (New York, 1731-96) Graphic

    1. Walton, William (New York, 1731-96)
    2. Walton, William, (Virginia, 1742-Bridgeton, Mo, 1826)

    Argent a chevron Gules between three hawks' heads erased Sable

    1. Bookplate

    1. Bolton
    2. Crozier 1
  • Walter, Thomas (of Boston, 1679) Graphic

    Walter, Thomas (of Boston, 1679)

    Azure a fess dancetty Or between three eagles displayed Argent

    Crozier 1, Matthews
  • Walmsley, J[ohn?] (in North Carolina, 1792) Graphic

    Walmsley, J[ohn?] (in North Carolina, 1792)

    Gules on a chief Ermine two roundels Azure

    Bookplate dated 1792

    Bolton
  • Waller, Rev Benjamin (King William Co, Va, 1716-86) Graphic

    Waller, Rev Benjamin (King William Co, Va, 1716-86)

    Sable on a bend cotised Argent three walnut leaves Vert

    Bookplate. See alternative arms above.

    Bolton