| I will here use the term "forefather" in the sense | | | | be found at: . |
| of "founder", which, as used in nobiliary | | | | In many cases a coronet (crown) is used as a |
| genealogical work, usually refers to the person | | | | symbol of nobiliary rank. The coronets are |
| who was first ennobled or recognized as noble. | | | | different for nobles of the various ranks, so the |
| If the headship of the family is hereditary, you | | | | coronets for a prince and a baron would look |
| are most likely to find the founding forefather by | | | | different. The presence of a coronet on a coat of |
| simply tracing the family line which possesses the | | | | arms of a forefather is by no means absolute |
| headship backwards, until you encounter the | | | | proof of nobility, but it would be safe to say it is |
| person who was ennobled or first recognized as | | | | such a strong indicator that further research is |
| noble. | | | | motivated. |
| If you know the geographical place (country, | | | | Also the use of supporters (figures either side of |
| county, city) where the family was first identified, | | | | the shield appearing to support it) is a strong (but |
| you may well search its history for the family | | | | not definitive) indicator of nobility. In some |
| name in question in order to find your forefather. | | | | countries nobles above a certain rank were |
| You should be aware of the possibility of variant | | | | required (or at least expected) to add supporters |
| spellings. This is also how I found further | | | | to their arms. |
| information about the founder of my own family. | | | | The number of helmets used can be another |
| In the official history of the city of Antwerp, | | | | indicator. In some countries it was common for a |
| "Geschiedenis van Antwerpen", a monumental 9 | | | | nobleman to use 1 helmet, a baron 2 and a count |
| volume work, I found a list of the "sheriffs" of | | | | 3 helmets. But variations are many and again the |
| Antwerp who were also made Marquises | | | | presence of one or more helmets on a coat of |
| (margraves) of the Land of Ryen (the county | | | | arms of a forefather is not definitive proof of |
| surrounding Antwerp in medieval times). My | | | | nobility. |
| forefather Gilles van de Wouwere was made a | | | | Mantling (a flowing drapery attached to the |
| "Schout" of Antwerp and a Margrave of the Land | | | | helmet) is often (but not always) a heraldic |
| of Ryen in 1141, and his son Hendrik succeeded | | | | symbol of high nobility. |
| him in 1199. | | | | When researching your family history it is most |
| If you have elementary knowledge of heraldry | | | | helpful if you can identify the family arms which |
| you may wish to use this to trace your founding | | | | have been quartered or incorporated with your |
| forefather. The main problem when using heraldry | | | | own arms and also identify the family arms |
| to search for your forefather is that the terms | | | | where your own arms can be found as quartered |
| and customs of heraldry varies a great deal from | | | | or incorporated. |
| one country to another. Some symbols may be | | | | Part of this work may be done through the |
| strictly reserved for the higher nobility in one | | | | Internet, using various specialized sites with |
| country but free for anyone to use in another. It | | | | advanced search facilities. |
| is therefore only possible to provide some general | | | | If you found this article about "Forefather" |
| guidelines on this topic and you are kindly advised | | | | interesting, you may wish to have a look at my |
| to look further into the heraldic customs of the | | | | book "Find Your Noble Ancestors!", where I |
| country of your interest. | | | | develop the subjects outlined above. |
| A free lesson in "Heraldry for Genealogists" can | | | | |