Blog

Coats of arms and their uses
One of the most recognisable global images is that of a coat of arms. In this article, we examine some of the types of coats of arms and provide useful links to other articles about heraldry.

What is the correct way to fly the Union Jack?
What is the correct way to fly the Union Jack? Could you tell if the Union Jack is being flown in the correct way? And is it right to call it the Union Jack at all? In this article, we shed some light on some common bones of contention! For the purposes of this...

Family research: Our top tips
Family research is such a rewarding pastime and you could discover fascinating details about the lives of your ancestors. It can be hard to know where to start, so we have compiled our top ten tips to help you on your journey of family discovery. 1....

Your surname meaning: secrets revealed!
Researching your family history is a fascinating pastime. But did you know that your surname alone can reveal interesting details about the origins of your forbears? In this article we look at your surname meaning and how our research can open the doors on the lives...

Gifts for Grooms and Best Man
Are you looking for gifts for the groom and best man and all those others that help on the day? Nowadays, it is usual for people to pull out all the stops to find a wedding gift that is memorable, unique and within a budget. But many people struggle to meet this tall...

How would you design your own coat of arms?
If you could design a coat of arms, what would be on it? And just as importantly, why? Many of us like to think that back in the mists of time, our ancestors had impressive heraldry. For example, we might hope that the design on an ancestor's coat of arms represents...

The image, history and reality of Scotland’s famous clans
We thank our friends at Scotland Magazine for providing this fascinating article about the image, history and reality of Scotland's famous clans. Scotland Magazine is a bi-monthly publication for all who love Scottish culture, travel and history. As such, they...

Free trial copy of Scotland Magazine!
Our friends at Scotland Magazine are offering a free trial copy for all Hall of Names customers. This great bi-monthly publication is for all who those who love Scottish culture, travel and history. What is in the magazine? There's something new and interesting...

Competition to win tickets to ‘Canterbury Tales’
It's Facebook competition time again, and this time the prize is a family ticket to 'Canterbury Tales'. This is a superb visitor attraction in the town of Canterbury, Kent. Plus, with the Easter holidays just around the corner, it is a great day our for the family!...