IHGS Heraldic Research
Heraldry Course Online: Understand the Symbols Behind Your Ancestry
Our heraldry course online teaches you how to interpret coats of arms, understand heraldic symbols, and research family crest traditions through expert-led study. Whether you are exploring your own ancestry, researching a coat of arms, or building stronger family history skills, IHGS offers a clear path from beginner to advanced heraldry study.
At a Glance
Expert-led online heraldry training for those exploring British Isles ancestry.
Study with a leading British institute from anywhere in the United States. As a result, you can learn through a fully online course with self-paced lessons and practical assignments that build real skill in reading coats of arms.
Flexible pace
Progress through the course in your own time, with guidance to complete it within six to twelve months.
Tutor-led learning
Each student is allocated a personal Tutor to review assignments and discuss queries throughout the course.
Recognized pathway
The six lectures cover the syllabus for Elementary and Intermediate heraldry examinations.
For U.S. Students
Family Crests, Coats of Arms, and Heraldry Explained
Many Americans first discover heraldry while searching for a family crest connected to their surname. While these searches often spark an interest in family history. However, heraldry is much more than a decorative symbol.
This course teaches how coats of arms were granted, inherited, and recorded, helping students distinguish between reliable heraldic research and common misunderstandings. As a result, students gain valuable insights into family history, identity, and historical records.
- A coat of arms was traditionally granted to a particular person and passed through the correct line of descent
- That means the coat of arms linked to a surname may not belong to everyone with that same surname
- Studying heraldry helps you understand what is accurate, what is assumed, and how to interpret arms correctly
- This knowledge can also be used professionally to support clients, strengthen genealogical research, and explain heraldic evidence with confidence
- These courses are well suited to genealogists, serious family historians, career changers, and anyone who wants to turn a long-standing hobby into income or professional expertise
Distance Learning Course
Heraldry Course Online for Beginners and Experienced Learners
This heraldry course online has six lectures that build clear knowledge of heraldic design and language. In addition, it shows how heraldry can support family history research.
- Six lecture modules supported by assessed assignments
- Practical work designed to put heraldic theory into use
- Select bibliographies in each module to extend learning
- Subsequent lectures released as assignments are submitted
Program Options
Choose the level of study that suits you
Whether you want a full course or extra study support, IHGS provides a flexible heraldry program that can fit around your existing commitments.
Heraldry Course Online
Designed for beginners and those with existing experience, this heraldry course online builds lasting knowledge of heraldic history, practice, design, and language.
Jump to the course details
Online Tutorials
Alternatively, the Heraldry Online Tutorials suit people who do not want to take a formal course or who want to add to their studies alongside the main program.
Explore tutorial options
Qualifications and next steps
Students who complete the program can choose to sit the Elementary and Intermediate examinations jointly issued by IHGS and The Heraldry Society.
See outcomes and next stepsShort Courses and Talks
Additional ways to begin or deepen your heraldry studies
Alongside the main distance learning course, IHGS also offers focused learning for newcomers. In addition, it provides sessions for people interested in Scottish heraldry and the history of chivalry.
Heraldry for Beginners
First, this introductory course guides beginners through the main elements of heraldry, including heraldic language, traditional colors, design rules, blazoning, and reading heraldic shields.
Then, students build a solid grounding in the words, structure, and visual rules of heraldry.
Price: £60, approximately $81 USD at about 1 GBP = 1.35 USD
Actual payment in dollars will vary with the live exchange rate and any card or provider fees.
Purchase Heraldry for Beginners
Thistle Chapel and the Knights of the Order of the Thistle
In this recorded talk, Lorna Kinnaird explores Scotland's highest order of chivalry, its medieval origins, its 1687 refounding by King James VI of Scotland, and the rich heraldry of the Thistle Chapel, completed in 1911.
It also introduces Scottish heraldry and highlights the stalls of the 16 knights, the Sovereign's stall, and two Royal stalls.
Price: £10, approximately $14 USD at about 1 GBP = 1.35 USD
Actual payment in dollars will vary with the live exchange rate and any card or provider fees.
Purchase the Thistle Chapel talkHeraldry Program
Online tutorials and study themes that support the main course
In addition to the main course, students can explore clear tutorial topics and source-based study themes that build practical heraldry skills.
Essential Heraldic Framework
Three tutorials cover the key parts of basic heraldic knowledge.
The first framework covers language, design, and description.
A second tutorial introduces blazoning and Papworth.
Finally, the third framework explores heraldry in practice, including marshaling, cadency, and hatchments.
Blazoning tutorial series
Students can build blazoning and heraldic identification skills while working with sources.
Topics include blazoning with Papworth, Fairbairn, and published pedigrees.
Heraldic sources and exams
Meanwhile, Heraldic Sources is an ongoing series with a new source topic every four to six weeks.
The program also follows The Heraldry Society exam route at Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced Diploma level.
Enrollment and Timeline
Start when you are ready and study at a pace that works for you
Enrollment and fee
The course fee is £595. To begin, students may enroll at any time by purchasing through the shop or by completing the enrollment form and paying the registration fee.
At an exchange rate of about 1 GBP = 1.35 USD on 22 April 2026, that is approximately $803 USD. Your actual payment in dollars will vary with the live exchange rate and any card or provider fees.
In addition, each student receives a voucher for three IHGS Heraldry Zoom Tutorials to support their studies.
Study period and extensions
Although there is no fixed timetable, students are advised to aim to complete the course within six to twelve months.
The standard enrollment period is five years. However, IHGS may consider a request for more time when it is made before the five-year period ends.
Student Support
Personal tutor guidance, responsive marking, and a clear progression route
Personal Tutor
Each student has a personal tutor who reviews assignments and discusses questions throughout the course.
Assignment turnaround
Submitted work is normally assessed within two weeks. After it is received, the next lecture is released automatically.
Genealogy progression
Finally, students who go on to take the Higher Certificate Correspondence Course in Genealogy do not need to complete Lecture 20: Heraldry.
Who Is This Course For?
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is ideal for:
- Beginners interested in heraldry and coats of arms
- Genealogists who want to use heraldic evidence in family history research
- Family historians researching British Isles ancestry
- People interested in heraldic design, symbolism, and history
- Researchers seeking a recognized pathway in heraldry studies
No previous heraldry experience is required.
Continue Learning
Continue Your Family History Education
Heraldry and genealogy often work together to reveal a richer understanding of family history.
In addition, students who want to build their research skills may wish to explore:
Online Genealogy Courses
Flexible online learning for family historians and genealogists.
Higher Certificate in Genealogy
A clear route to advanced family history research skills.
Family History Research Courses
Focused courses that develop knowledge in specific research areas.
Expert-Led Anytime Talks
Recorded presentations on focused genealogy and history topics.
These programs help students build a deeper understanding of records, evidence, migration, ancestry, and historical research.
Course Aims and Outcomes
What students can expect to gain from successful completion
Whether or not they choose to sit the exams, students who complete the course and submit assignments will gain knowledge they can use right away.
- Research a personal heraldic interest and write a clear report
- Gain a strong understanding of the origins, growth, and current rules of heraldry
- Support others who want to learn more about heraldry or carry out their own research
- Prepare for the Elementary and Intermediate certificates in Heraldry if they choose to sit the exams
FAQ
Common questions about studying heraldry
What is heraldry?
Heraldry is the language, history, design, and inheritance of coats of arms and related symbols.
Does a coat of arms belong to everyone with the same surname?
No. A coat of arms was traditionally granted to a particular person and passed through the proper line of descent, so a surname alone does not guarantee a right to specific arms.
Who is this course best suited to?
It is well suited to beginners, experienced learners, genealogists, family historians, career changers, and people who want to turn a hobby into professional expertise.
How long do students have to complete the course?
Students work at their own pace. IHGS suggests a six- to twelve-month pace, while the standard enrollment period is five years.
Can I take this heraldry course online from the United States?
Yes. This heraldry course online is available to students throughout the United States and around the world.
Will I learn how to research a family crest?
Yes. Students learn how coats of arms were granted, inherited, and documented, providing the knowledge needed to understand family crest and coat of arms research accurately.
Is this course suitable for beginners?
Yes. The course is designed for both beginners and experienced researchers interested in heraldry and genealogical evidence.
How does heraldry help genealogy research?
Heraldry can provide evidence about family relationships, inheritance patterns, social status, and historical connections that may support broader genealogical research.