king-of-arms

[king-uhv-ahrmz]

noun

plural

kings-of-arms 

1. a title of certain of the principal heralds of England and certain other kingdoms empowered by their sovereigns to grant armorial bearings.

king-of-arms

noun

1. the highest rank of heraldic officer, itself divided into the ranks of Garter, Clarenceaux, and Norroy and Ulster. In Scotland the first is Lyon

2. a person holding this rank

Word History and Origins

Origin of king-of-arms¹

First recorded in 1400–50, king-of-arms is from late Middle English king of armes. See king, arm ²

Example Sentences

Lyon is also king-of-arms for the national order of the Thistle.

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In Ireland also there is but one king-of-arms, Ulster.

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The allusion is to an Ireland king-of-arms mentioned in the reign of Richard II. and superseded by Ulster.

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Ulster is king-of-arms to the order of St Patrick.

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In 1634 he was appointed historiographer and genealogist of France, and in 1641 juge d’armes of France, an officer corresponding nearly to the Garter king-of-arms in England.

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