Heraldry is a subject of interest in the study of any ancient family. In England strict rules of heraldry require that the coat-of-arms of each younger branch of a family have some change or distinguishing mark. This has led to a very complicated system of markings. The Scots and Irish never fully accepted these rules, leaning more to the feeling that armorial insignia belonged to the family as a whole.

Americans, of course, are not bound by British rules and from the time of the early settlers have generally followed their own sentiment in heraldry. One we consider an authority on the subject, J. A. Reynolds, an American, in his book, "Heraldry and You," explains the custom in this country:

"The historic concept of armorial usage in the United States has been to regard all branches of a related family bearing the family name as sharing equally and freely in the use of the undifferenced basic arms of that family. This is historically the general picture, though there have always been a few who chose to adopt the precosity of more rigid foreign systems." 1

Thus Americans have considerable freedom of choice in adopting and displaying the arms of their ancestors or even constructing one of their own. Numerous different armorial bearings of the Houstons (Hustons) are in existence. All that we have found have enough of the same markings to identify the family line from its beginning in Scotland.

The arms of the Houston barons as described in Campbell’s Houstoniana and confirmed by other writers are: "Or, a Chevron, Checquie, Azure and Argent; betwix three Martlets, Sable; supported by two Hinds; and for Crest, a Sandglass with the Motto, In Time’."

The armorial bearings of the Johnstone Houstons, descended from a second son, as pictured by Campbell, has much the same markings as the barons, except for absence of the two hinds as supporters, thus indicating a lesser rank.

The Houstons of Blackaddar, whose arms are registered in the directory of Sir Bernard Burke, Ulster King of Arms, is similar to that of the barons except that the supporters are "two Greyhounds, proper, collared and chained." This coat-of-arms is similar to that used generally by historians of various

1 J. A. Reynolds, Heraldry and You (Thomas Nelson & Sons, New York, Copyright 1961), p. 82. 42