Except for a few individual exceptions from some parts of Eastern Europe, there is no such thing as a coat of arms for a surname or family name. Coats of arms belong to individuals, not families or surnames. For a person to have a right to a coat of arms, they must have either had it granted to them or be descended in the legitimate male line from the person to whom the coat of arms was originally granted. How could a company that has not researched your family tree know whether you have inherited the right to display a particular coat of arms? If you're looking for something fun then these gifts are OK, though misrepresentative, but if you're looking for something from your own family history, then stay away!
5 Family History Scams to Avoid
By Kimberly Powell, About.com
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Coat of Arms Confusion
There are many companies out there who will sell you your coat of arms on a t-shirt, mug, or 'handsomely engraved' plaque. For my husband's surname, POWELL, there is an entire catalog full of such items! While these companies are not necessarily out to scam you, their sales pitch is very misleading and, in some cases, outright incorrect. Very few actually take the time to explain the facts to their potential customers - see Excuse Me, But There's No Such Thing as a Family Crest for one company which does.
Index: 5 Family History Scams to Avoid
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