Finally was able to get my hands on the Coat of Arms plaque that hung in my Grandpa Nesselroad's house for years. Ma thinks they were purchased from someplace in Ireland in the mid-60's ("like '64 or '65"). Actually as you refer to the picture and the decriptions, you can see that the folks that did this in Ireland did their homework!
Here is what I have managed to dig up on the parts of the whole:
Starting at the top working our way down:
Obviously the family name. (In English heraldry, the motto and name are reversed)
Red dog: Ok, so it isn't called a red dog. Technically it is a"Rampant Dog". It stands for courage, vigilance, loyalty. The erect tail means (of all things) aggression. So, we are aggressively loyal, vigilant, and courageous. :o)
The crown the dog is standing in is called a "ducal coronet". It isn't an official part of the blazon (ie "the official written description of all the parts") and its shape/style varies with rank.
Red and White wreath: The wreath was originally 2 braided silk scarves which set the helm apart from the shield and hid the joining seam. One was in the color representative of the metal and the second in the first named color. So our metal would be "argent" (silver) and the color would be "gules" (red). Collectively called "the colors".
Helm: In profile means warrior, peer. Since we know we aren't royalty, thanks to Talwin, it is a given the helm would be steel and the closed visor means: Gentleman
Shield: Three parts: Red, White and Stepped line:
- Red stands for military strength, brave, strong, generous and just.
- White stands for peace and sincerity.
- Stepped line means walls of a fortress or town or fire.
The flower vines on either side: hope and joy.
If you refer back to Talwin's description of the coat of arms and some of the history, yes, it matches! HOORAY!!
Now, if we were to construct a "blazon" (remember, it means official, written description) of our parts, it may read something like: "Arms: Gules, argent embattled fesse. Crest: A dog rampant gules"
Fesse is referred to as "an ordinary". We know it is honorable as it occupies 1/3 of the shield.
Pretty fancy wording for: "red shield with white double-sided stepped line, across the middle. Topped with a red dog standing on its hind legs", isn't it? ;o)
The websites where I dug up some of this stuff:
http://www.fleurdelis.com/meanings.htm
http://www.fleurdelis.com/coatofarms.htm
http://www.fleurdelis.com/shieldsdividing.htm
http://genealogy.about.com/od/heraldry/Heraldry_Coats_of_Arms_and_Family_Crests.htm
http://www.coatsofarms.addr.com/pimbley.htm
Now with your curiosity piqued, I have a question for you: How many of you out there have a similar plaque hanging in, or have seen hanging in, an elderly relatives house?
And don't be bashful about sharing this blog with relatives! The more information we can gather together in one area for the purposes of posterity and linking us together, the better!
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