The popular use of a ‘Coat of Arms’ as an emblem for a specific family is a common made mistake. The origins of the arms lied in the need to distinguish soldiers in combat when their faces were hidden by iron and steel helmets in the middle ages. Eventually a system of rules developed into the modern form of heraldry.

Development of emblems to distinguish people was also for another practical reason^[07]; To form a seal to represent an individual’s signature. Because the royal families used these heraldic seals, it has become common practise at the time. Duplication had to be eliminated and thus only the eldest son would inherit the lawful use of the seal. No other person would then have the right to pass on the emblem to other bearers of the family name.

The same surname could originate from different locations, without any relation^[08] between the families. To use the same Coat of Arms to represent these separate families would then be unacceptable.

According to South African Heraldic Law, all family Coat of Arms must be registered with the heraldic authorities to be recognised. People that wants a family emblem has to design it and have it registered^[09].

Popular Lehmkühl Coat of Arms commonly presented to the public.

The Lehmkuhl Coat of Arms illustrated to the left is officially documented in Siebmacher's Wappenbuch, ISBN 963-9374-38-5. The original description of the arms (shield) is as follows: R.S GETHEILT, OBEN ZWEI FUNFECKIGE S. STERNE; UTEN EIN R. SPARREN. When translated, the Blazon also describes the original colours of the Lehmkuhl arms as: Divided horisontally: 1. Red; Two silver five-pointed stars; 2. Silver; A red chevron. Above the shield and helmet is the crest wich is described as: Three ostrich plumes, one silver between two red.

Parts of the shield:

It is important to note that the the word blazon is the correct technical term for a Coat of arms. The term tincture is the name given to the colours in a Coat of arms.

The Field

The blazon gives tincture to the field first. With the patition that divides the shield horisontally, the shield is said to be blazoned per fess (parted horizontally).

The Charge

The blazon gives description of the charge next. Almost anything that can be symbolised in colour or form can be a charge. The charge on the Lehmkuhl blazon consists of two honorable ordinaries; The chief and the chevron. The ordinaries and partitions were added to the shield to strenthen it. These were painted to decorate the field, and became a traditional part of the shield and charges.

	CHIEF - honorable ordinary
	CHEVRON - honorable ordinary

The Colours

Even the colours used in heraldry represent a clue about the bearer. The Lehmkuhl blazon's tinctures are divided into one metal, silver, and one colour, red.
Silver represents serenity and nobility.
The colour red represents fortitude and creative power.