heralds' office: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Historical, Official
Quick answer
What does “heralds' office” mean?
A government or official body responsible for granting and regulating coats of arms, genealogical records, and matters of heraldry and ceremonial protocol.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A government or official body responsible for granting and regulating coats of arms, genealogical records, and matters of heraldry and ceremonial protocol.
The institution or department that oversees the laws and traditions of heraldry, including the design of new arms, recording pedigrees, and organizing state ceremonies. In the UK, it refers specifically to the College of Arms in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and the Court of the Lord Lyon in Scotland.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'Heralds' Office' (or more formally 'College of Arms') is a specific, functioning institution. In American English, the term is almost exclusively historical or academic, as the US has no official state heraldic authority, though it may refer to private genealogical or heraldic societies.
Connotations
UK: Connotes living tradition, aristocracy, state ceremony, and legal authority over symbols. US: Connotes European history, genealogy, or antiquarian study.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general American English; low but specific in British English within historical, legal, or ceremonial contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “heralds' office” in a Sentence
apply to the Heralds' Office for + NOUN (a coat of arms)The Heralds' Office maintains + NOUN (records, a register)be registered at the Heralds' OfficeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “heralds' office” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The family sought to have their arms officially recorded by Heralds' Office.
American English
- They decided to heraldicly research the symbol, a process that would involve consulting a heralds' office.
adverb
British English
- -
American English
- -
adjective
British English
- The Heralds' Office records are meticulously maintained.
American English
- He had a heralds'-office-quality pedigree chart drawn up.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in context of trademark or logo design consulting historical precedents.
Academic
Used in history, art history, and genealogy papers discussing medieval institutions or symbolic systems.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in heraldry, genealogy, and constitutional history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “heralds' office”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “heralds' office”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “heralds' office”
- Using 'Herald's Office' (singular possessive) instead of the correct plural 'Heralds' Office'.
- Capitalising incorrectly when not using it as a proper noun (e.g., 'He works at the Heralds' Office' vs. 'Such matters are dealt with by a heralds' office').
- Using it as a general term for any archive or registry.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, 'the College of Arms' is the formal name for the Heralds' Office. It is located in London.
In the UK, grants of arms are made to individuals and corporate bodies considered 'virtuous and deserving' by the Crown, usually requiring a petition and a fee. It is not an automatic right.
No, the United States has no official state heraldic authority. Heraldry is a matter of personal or organizational choice, though private bodies like the New England Historic Genealogical Society offer registration services.
The College of Arms is the heraldic authority for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The Court of the Lord Lyon is the equivalent statutory authority for Scotland, with its own laws and traditions.
A government or official body responsible for granting and regulating coats of arms, genealogical records, and matters of heraldry and ceremonial protocol.
Heralds' office is usually formal, historical, official in register.
Heralds' office: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɛrəldz ˈɒfɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɛrəldz ˈɔːfɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “-”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine medieval HERALDS (messengers) working in an OFFICE, not with swords, but with pens, painting shields and drawing family trees.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN INSTITUTION IS A RECORD KEEPER / SYMBOL IS A LEGAL ENTITY
Practice
Quiz
In which country is 'the Heralds' Office' a currently active official institution?