Designed my family Coat of Arms.
Blazon: Per pale 1: (The Cambria coat of arms) Per fess, first or a cross crosslet gules, second azure a talbot reversed regardant courant argent; and 2: Argent, a housemark or and in sinister canton a stag gules with antlers or.
(The Left side is the Cambria Coat of Arms for my mother's lineage, and the Right is a custom rendition of the Hauss Coat of Arms for my father's lineage)
Ordinaries
Cambria
•Cross Crosslet
There are a few different meanings that the cross crosslet symbolizes. First, it can represent world evangelism of the gospel. It can also signify the fourfold mystery of the cross. This is appropriate in respect to my mother's family's devotion to Catholicism. The Cross Crosslet is colored gules, or red. This color is primarily associated with military fortitude and magnanimity. My grandfather proudly served for the United States military, and has raised all Cambria's to be generous and mindful.
•Talbot (Dog)
The Talbot is a symbol of obedience. This is an important quality that establishes mature, loyal relationships in life. It is colored argent, which signifies peace and serenity and is onto an azure background. Azure is for truth and loyalty.
Hauss
•Housemark
After research, I chose to use a housemark as an associated mark to represent the Hauss coat of arms. A housemark was used in many nations, Germany being one of them, to symbolize an owner of property. Each Housemark was custom, and would often be used to brand cattle. I chose this design for the Housemark since it resembles a house. The three horizontal bars symbolize the history of my name, Raymond. I am not the “Third” (since middle names differ) but I am the third Raymond descending from my original Grandfather, Raymond Hauss. The housemark is colored or, or gold. This represents generosity and elevation of the mind, and rests upon a background argent. I was torn in deciding the color scheme for the housemark. Originally I had it azure, signifying truth and loyalty, but deemed that inappropriate given the betrayal of my original grandfather.
Hughes
•Stag
I have added the stag in sinister canton position on the Hauss coat of arms to symbolize my separation from the name Hauss to my current last name, Hughes. This occurred when my original grandfather, Raymond Hauss, left my fathers family when my father was an infant and my grandmother remarried. To not cause problems this secret was kept from my father until he was sixteen years old. I was also kept from this information until I turned the same age. The Stag symbolizes skillfulness, peace, harmony, and would not fight unless provoked. These are all personal qualities that I try to exemplify daily and base my everyday actions around. My grandfather, Roy Hughes, is of French, Welch and Irish decent. The stag is one of the most ancient charges in Ireland, and those who bared this charge was regarded as the most handsome. The stag is colored gules and accented in or. This color scheme was chosen to exemplify my selflessness throughout life.
Helm
This usage of the closed, tilted helm represents nobility. My family an I strive to be loyal, trustworthy, overall good people. We are all well respected by our fellow men. My brother name in my fraternity is Royal Highness. Due to family tradition it has to end with -ness which explains the misspelling. I was given this name due to my chivalrous, noble outlook on life.
Crown
I have chosen to add a unique feature to my coat of arms, a crown. Though this is not standard I felt it necessary to depict the crown of the Baron in respect to my great-great grandfathers history. He was a Baron in Sicily when it was under French rule for a short period of time. During his reign he had a mistress, my great-great-grandmother, and together they gave birth to my great grandfather. He immigrated to America and had my Grandfather, along with nine other siblings.
Crest
I have used the crest of the Cambria's, three ostrich plumes argent. This crest symbolizes willing obedience, and serenity of mind. Both of these traits have been constant themes for the rest of the coat of arms.
