A Roll of Early American Arms

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
1. Willett, Capt Thomas (England, 1611-New York, 1674)
2. Willett, John (in Boston, 1660)

Argent three bars gemels in chief three lions rampant Sable

1. First mayor of New York, 1665-67

Crozier 1, Matthews
Willcutt, ----- (Massachusetts, ca 1800?)

Argent a chevron Azure between three lozenges Gules

Painting by John Coles
Willard, Joseph (Boston [?], 1738-Cambridge, Mass,1804)

Argent three leopards' heads Or [sic]

Embroidered "hatchment" by his daughter Mary

Bolton
Willard, Maj Simon (Horsmonden, Kent 1605-Charlestown, Mass, 1676)

Argent a chevron Ermines between three flasks proper

A heraldic flask is a type of basket for catching fish.

Crozier 1, Matthews
Wilkinson, ----- (RI, 1600s?)

Or three goats rampant within a bordure Sable

Confirmation in R.I. Hist Soc

Bolton
Wilkinson, Laurence (in Providence, 1652)

Azure a fess Erminois between three unicorns passant Argent

Arms purportedly granted 1615.

Crozier 1, Matthews
Wilkins, Robert (in Chiqnes Creek, Pa, 1701)

Per pale Or and Argent a wyvern Vert

Crozier 1
Wilkes, RAdm Charles (New York, 1798-Washington, 1877)

Or a chevron between three ravens' heads erased in chief a crescent Sable

Bookplate. Leader of the U.S. Exploring Expedition to Antarctica and the South Pacific, 1838-42. Possibly the grandson of Israel Wilkes, above.

Bolton
Wilkes, Israel (London, 1722-New York, 1805)

Or a chevron between three griffins' heads erased in chief a crescent Sable (for difference)

NEHGS #522
Wilgus, Samuel (in Monmouth, N.J., 1755)

Or on a chevron between three lions’ heads erased Sable three quatrefoils Or

Matthews