Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique design painted on a shield.  These designs may be inherited, meaning that they pass from a father to his children.  In the Middle Ages, these designs were shown on real shields, but today they are usually only drawn or painted on the paper that makes them legal which is called a grant of arms. The grant of arms is usually allowed only when it is given by the government of a country or its agent. In England, this is called the College of Arms and in Scotland is called the Lord Lyon.