I'm entering this at the tail end and must say that it has been an interesting banter of points of opinions.

For what it is worth, I obtained a grant from the Chief Herald of Ireland in 1991. On immigration of my family around 1830 from Ireland to Canada, then into the U.S. the surname was changed. 1) In receiving a grant of arms my feeling was that I had reclaimed my birthright. Second) It was something concerning the heritage that could continue to be handed down in the family for generations to come and hopefully not forget from whence they came. 3) To be the highlight page in a 3500 page family history that took me 30 years to research and write. 4) I was displaying my individuality as a Gael which can be good & bad.

As for the pretension on social class it has already been stated; there are granted arms by authority, and burgher arms, period. To me what is important is the use of arms! I don't care by what authority.

Would I petition for a grant today? Probably not. Why? In twenty years the cost of a grant has nearly tripled from what I paid. But that isn't the main reason. My children who grew up with the letters patent on the wall, don't have any real desire to use or display them, especially their spouses. One of my daughters-in-law doesn't understand it at all. I no longer have the funds to have cast my own badges for the extending family (I can't find the molds and must have new one's made). I find myself alone in their use.