Coat-of-Arms

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Some ancestry research sites may attempt to fill in extra items to make a family name's coat-of-arms filled with 4 symbolic objects.  Some family names have no coat-of-arms actually.  Some family names that do have a coat-of-arms may contain anywhere from 1 to 4 objects within the coat's interior quadrants.  In April, 2002, legitimate research was initially conducted for the Baygents family coat-of-arms; it has been validated to contain one image, a leopard in front of a red quadrant (on the shield).  Regarding other items, there is no known "Motto" and no known "Crest".  Further research of other time periods, locales, etc. may reveal more detailed information or more quadrant objects.  Items can be placed outside the quadrants as well.  Each quadrant has a specific meaning regarding what kind of object can be placed there.  Also, each quadrant object has a specific meaning.  Some family coat-of-arms changed over the years and some items might be added or modified.  Modifying coat-of-arms can still sometimes be accomplished today, although the process is extensive.