Thursday, 17 September 2026

New arms for a extinct family (attributed)

I am in the process of designing fictional arms for a 16th century family with the surname Tichnor from the fictional manor of Tichnor (the Tichnor surname is extinct in England). Needless to say, as I am fond of punning arms, puns feature heavily in the design. Design B has, possibly, the stronger pun but design A has its merits. 

Here are the two images and the explanation behind the puns is bellow.


Design A:
To play on "Touchnor" (soundalike: "Touch-no"), this design centres around the idea of avoiding contact or keeping a secure boundary. The Shield  is Vert (Green), symbolizing nature, growth, and the countryside but it is the main charge which provides the pun. The only charge on the shield is a Noli me tangere (Latin for "touch me not") flower, specifically, a stylized Touch-Me-Not (or Jewelweed) plant. This provides a direct, botanical pun on the name. The Border (bordure) counter-compony of Argent (Silver) and Sable (Black) signifies a boundary, wall, or barrier, enforcing the "nor/no" portion of the name by saying "stop, do not cross, don't touch me.

The crest of a porcupine visually enforces the concept of "do not touch."

The Latin motto Noli Tangere (often written as noli me tangere) literally means "do not touch me." or, "Touch not", a play on the name Touchnor.

Design A:
The same basis applies but here I have made the "barrier" a chevron per chevron counterchanged and the charges are thistles: A thistle is a prickly, wild herbaceous plant characterized by sharp, needle-like prickles or spines covering its leaves and stem. These sharp bits are a natural defence mechanism designed to protect the plant from being eaten by grazing animals. Thistles litterally say "Touch me not". or "Touch no". 

I shall mull it over.



 


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New arms for a extinct family (attributed)

I am in the process of designing fictional arms for a 16th century family with the surname Tichnor from the fictional manor of Tichnor (the ...

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