A selection, in alphabetical order. None of the 100-plus "family arms" which were introduced as illustrations in books and articles in the 1930s and '40s are included, because of their dubious authenticity.

German-born mining magnate Sir George Albu's arms (CoA 1912) were an early, if not the first, use of the protea to indicate a South African connection: Per chevron raguly Or and Vert, in dexter chief an acorn and in sinister chief a protea both slipped and leaved, in base a bear sejant, all proper. Was the bear an allusion to his birthplace, Berlin?

Magnate and philanthropist Sir Abe Bailey's arms (CoA 1912) used a sprig of mimosa to represent South Africa: Argent, on a fess between three martlets Gules, a bezant between two sprigs of mimosa proper.

Historian, archivist and heraldist C. Graham Botha obtained a grant of arms (CoA 1947) reflecting his Scots ancestry and his civil and military careers: Gules, on a fess Argent between in chief two open books of the second leathered Or and in base two swords in saltire Argent hilted and pommeled Or, a thistle slipped and leaved proper. He was also a prominent freemason.

The arms of another prominent freemason, Thomas Cranstoun-Day, were Or, a chaplet of roses proper; on a chief Gules a six-pointed mullet Argent (CoA 1905). They may be canting: a wreath is a "krans" in Afrikaans.

South Africa's only peer, chief justice Baron De Villiers of Wynberg, was ennobled for presiding over the National Convention which established the Union of South Africa in 1910. His arms (CoA 1910) were derived from historical arms: Azure, a bend enhanced Argent, on a mound in base a paschal lamb proper.

The not dissimilar arms granted to Cape politician Sir David Graaff (CoA 1912) incorporated the stars of the Southern Cross as a South African symbol: Argent, a paschal lamb proper, on a chief Azure five stars Argent. Sir David's son, Sir De Villiers Graaff, registered the arms (BoH 1984).

Artist, sculptor and heraldist Ivan Mitford-Barberton's arms (CoA 1932) were Or, on a chevron Gules between three moles displayed Sable, as many fleurs de lis of the field. He was later, in the 1960s, a member of the Heraldry Council.

The arms of Cape brewer Olaf Ohlsson were Barry of six Argent and Gules, on a pile Sable two garbs in chief Or and a Maltese cross in base Argent (CoA 1924).

The arms of mining magnate Sir Ernest Oppenheimer (CoA 1921) were Azure, two swords in saltire Argent hilted and pommeled Or between in pale two fleurs de lis and in fess two lions passant regardant Or. The lions and fleurs de lis came from the Kimberley municipal arms which, in turn, derived them from the Cape of Good Hope arms.

Dutch heraldist and genealogist Cornelis Pama settled at the Cape in 1955, and dominated the heraldic scene for nearly forty years. His arms were: Or, an eagle displayed Sable beaked and armed Gules, charged on the breast with an escutcheon lozengy Argent and Gules a lion rampant Or armed and langued Azure.

Scottish-born scientist John Pirie's arms (LL 1927) were canting: Or, three pears slipped and leaved within a bordure engrailed Vert. Pears are found in many Pirie arms in Scotland.

The arms of Natal "sugar baron" Sir Frank Reynolds were Argent, a portcullis Sable; on a chief Sable three crosses crosslet fitchy Or.

Mining magnate Sir Joseph Robinson was granted arms (CoA 1908): Vert, three bezants chevronwise between two chevronels Or, the whole between three demi-stags couped Or. Stags are found in several Robinson arms, but the bezants presumably allude to Sir JB's mining career and riches.

References/Sources/Links

South African Heraldry Website © Arthur Radburn