Quote Originally Posted by davidlpope View Post
In my mind the tension, then, is between assumed arms (where there are no restrictions on WHO bears arms or the quality of the arms, themselves) and a restrictive system where arms are granted by some official body which (at least in theory) judges the worthiness of those petitioning for arms.

I guess subscribing to a qualification list such as Harrison's might lead to one being labelled as "snobbish". One the other hand, I'm not sure that the alternative presented by assumed arms (the armigerous ditch-digger bearing a "lucky charms" design?) is any better......
This is the conundrum and not an easy one to reconcile. I would say what tipped balance for me was the fact that English grants to Americans are only honorary. Given that heraldry generally follows paternal lines, I see no merit whatsoever in petitioning from any authority under which my father's line did not fall.