coat of arms

a surcoat or tabard embroidered with heraldic devices, worn by medieval knights over their armor.

a heraldic achievement of arms.

Origin of coat of arms

1325–75; Middle English; parallel to French cotte d'armes

Were you to drive up to the front gate of this grand palace, you would see a coat-of-arms sculptured in granite over the entrance.

Bruin |Mayne Reid
General Grant, for instance, when asked for his coat-of-arms, replied: "A pair of shirt sleeves."

The Booklover and His Books |Harry Lyman Koopman
The mantle was the garb of peace, and was even more richly decorated than the coat-of-arms.

The History of Chivalry |G. P. R. James
Principle established in case of citizens displaying crest or coat-of-arms.

Punch, or the London Charivari, July 1, 1914 |Various

The civic wreath and the stranded ship which appear as honourable augmentations on his coat-of-arms were derived from this event.

Cornish Worthies, Volume 1 (of 2) |Walter H. Tregellas

coat of arms

the heraldic bearings of a person, family, or corporation

a surcoat decorated with family or personal bearings