Harrison Coat of Arms

Harrison Coat of Arms

There are about 39 HARRISON coats of arms in existence in England. The majority of the Harrisons of England thrived in Oxford, Northampton, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

If you have other COA you'd like to share, please contact Becky Bonner - we'd love to add them to our collection!

COA HARRISONHARRISON COAT OF ARMS
AUTHORITY: Burke's General Armory 1884
SHIELD: azure (blue) three demi lions or (gold), a canton or (gold)
CREST: a demi lion or (gold) supporting a chaplet of roses vert (green)
MOTTO: Vincit qui patitur - He conquers who endures
SUBMITTED BY:Dabney Bruce Harrison (Count Brucie)

Benjamin Harrison II

This COA is identical to that of Benjamin II except that there is a slight difference in the description of the crest.

The origin of coats of arms dates from the time of the Crusades in Medieval Europe. Heraldry is the last remnant of the ancient symbolism and a legitimate branch of Christian art. Every genuine old coat of arms preaches a lesson of chivalric honour and Christian principle to those who inherit it. All the designs and colors on the shield have a symbolic meaning and follow definite rules.

The SHIELD is the "heart" of the arms. Here it is azure (blue) which stands for loyalty and truth. The demi lions are or (gold), the symbol for justice and stainless honour as well as generosity. The canton is a special award of merit and is painted argent (silver) which stands for sincerity and peace and purity. The design of the shield is exclusive and may not be copied.

Above the SHIELD is the HELMET worn on the field of battle.

The CREST was held in highest esteem because only knights who had seen actual service in the field could acquire a crest. Here is the demi lion supporting a chaplet of roses vert (green). The lion is the king of beasts and was originally granted only to members of royalty.

The MANTLE was made to hang from two twisted skeins of silk called the TORSE, and was placed directly on the helmet to protect the wearer from the heat of the sun as well as to help entangle the sword of the adversary. It must be painted of the principle color of the shield and the principle metal.

Coats of Arms were originally to be displayed on shields so as to distinguish friend from foe in battle. Arms are the sign for technical rank of gentility. The possession of and use of a Coat of Arms is a privilege.


William Harrison of Ireland
Motto: In omnis paratus = Ready for all things

Honourable WILLIAM HARRISON

One of His Majesty's Commissioners and Cheif Governours of the Revenue of the Kingdom of Ireland

Who originally Descended of Richard, Lord Harrisson, who came into England A.D. 1056, Deriving his Pedigree from Charles, Junior Son of Charles, Duke of Habspruch, in Germany 876, as Sir Thomas Hawley, who was King-at-Arms of George Bretain in the Reign of King Henry VIII.
Submitted by James Charles Harrison. See also our biography section.

Ruth K. Andrews is in possession of the original parchment detailing this lineage and has other information regarding this family including COA at her website.



This COA appears to be very old -- we need some help in identifying! Harrison, Burwell, Carter, Bassett, Irwin, Symmes and Kennedy COA's all hand painted on the same paper. Motto: Pro Rege Et Patria. It originally came from the Historical Publication Society in Philadelphia. It is currently in the basement museum room of the Harrison House. This appears to be a version of the James River Harrisons COA. Please contact us if you know anything about this one! Submitted by Kitty Frey Deckard on the executive board of the Francis Vigo Chapter DAR, owner of the Harrison Mansion in Vincennes, Knox. Co., IN.



Preferred "estoiles" James River Harrison COA

The clearest documentation in J. Houston Harrison's Settlers by the Long Grey Trail. From p. 90: "The James River, Virginia, family of Harrisons used the Yorkshire arms as in the case of Robert Harrison of Augusta, County, Virginia. According to the "Richmond Standard" of February 14, 1880, the following arms appear on some of the plate of the late William Byrd Harrison, Esq., of Upper Brandon on the James: "Az, three demi-lions rampant. Crest - A demi-lion rampant with a wreath in his paw." (The colours of the demi-lions and of the wreath are evidently omitted in error.) The arms. "Az, three demi-lions rampant, Or," with Crest - "A demi-lion rampant arg. holding a laurel branch vert." appear also on an obelisk of the tomb of Henry Harrison, (1692? - 1732), son of Benjamin II of Brandon. (See, Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 32, p.199.) A second Coat-of-Arms used by the James River family, and the arms usually sited for them, are described as - "Az. two bars ermine between six estoiles, three, two, one, ar. Crest - An escallop shell." Submitted by John Harrison of San Francisco, descendant of Henry Peyton Harrison and John Burgett Shera.

James River Harrison Coat of Arms

Coat of Arms of President William Henry Harrison

Photo provided by Kitty Frey Deckard on the executive board of the Francis Vigo Chapter DAR, owner of the Harrison Mansion in Vincennes, Knox. Co., IN


Samuel Thompson Harrison of Maryland
Descendants of Smith Harrison and Richard Harrison of New York



Frank Tudor Harrison of Cantonsville, Maryland
Nathaniel Harrison - 1727



John Harrison of Wilmington, Deleware 1798




Col. Burr Harrison of Chappawamsie, Virginia 1722

[see Repository ID# 1304]
Taken from a seal on a deed found in the records of Stafford County, VA, dates back to Acastor, Caton, and Flaxby in York Co., England.
Applies to all descendants of both James Harrison of New York and the Rev. Thomas Harrison who immigrated to America in 1648.


Abstracted from: The Harrison Family published by The American Genealogical Research Institute, Washington, D.C., 1972.

Harrison Genealogy Repository
Last Updated: 19 Jun 1999
Becky Bonner E-Mail Address: [email protected]