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THE
COVINGTON COAT OF ARMS
And so, to the Coat of Arms. Almost everybody
who starts showing an interest in their family tree, hopes to unearth the
Family Coat of Arms to emblazon on their letterheads, door post or, possibly
worst of all, blazer breast pocket. One word of warning, virtually anybody, and
we Covingtons are no different to the rest, can trace a connection to an
armiger (one who has been given the right to bear a coat-of-arms). However, do
not assume that the arms go with the surname: they go to the lineal heirs of
the man awarded them, in strict accordance with the laws of arms.
With that point made and a confidence that
should you choose to use it in some way, it is extremely unlikely that the KGB
of the Coat-of-Arms world will catch up with you, it may come as a shock to
learn that the only one listed in Burke's General Armory is the Coventon Coat
of Arms. The description of this entry actually reads; "Az. Fretty ar. a
saltier parted of the last between four estoiles or. (Crest) An
heraldic tiger ramp. gu. semee
of estoiles armed and tufted or., supporting a tilting spear ppr. (Motto) Invidere sperno.
It is likely that the above means very little to
you, as it did to me. However, detailed below is my best attempt at a
translation, which may provide a slightly clearer picture.
Az. = azure (blue) and is the background colour of the shield or
"colours".
Fretty ar. = Interlaced fillets crossing the field or charge lozengeways coloured argent (silver or white). A sort of
trellis work effect.
A saltier = The cross of St Andrew (an X shape)
parted of the last between four estoiles or. = an estoile is a 6 armed star shape, with the end of each "arm"
slightly curved, similar to a star-fish. These are coloured or. (gold or
yellow) and situated in the 4 gaps between the cross (saltier) and the edges of
the shield.
The crest – An heraldic tiger ramp gu.
= a tiger standing on its back legs, rising up aggressively and coloured red (gu. = gules).
Semee of estolies =
strewed over more estoiles (see above)
armed and tufted or. = hoofs and mane coloured gold or yellow.
supporting a tilting spear ppr. = holding a weapon as used in tilts or
tournaments. (ppr = proper ?)
The Motto, Invidere sperno
= "I scorn to envy" and is shared with the Davies and Saunders families.
The black and white interpretation of the arms
is shown below, but it could be considered as a little over elaborate in that
no mention is made of armour helmets or flowing ribbons in the General Armory
record.
The coloured version
below, doesn’t bear too much scrutiny with regard to the description above, but
it still looks quite nice!!
However, in January 2002
I have been sent a very nice version from Gene Covington whose family comes
from North Carolina USA. My thanks to him for his submission.
And finally, this 2014 version submitted by Mr
David Smith
Please send e-mails to: covingtonhistory@mhcovington.plus.com
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