Escutcheonry
/ɪˈskʌtʃənri/noun
The study, design, or use of escutcheons and heraldic shields.
Did you know?In heraldry, the escutcheon could serve as an “escutcheon of pretense,” a small shield placed over a larger one to display a spouse’s or inherited family arms.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*skeu-
“To cover, conceal, or protect”
Classical Latin
Latin
scutum
“A shield, especially the large body shield used by Roman infantry”
12th Century
Old French
escu
“A shield; also a heraldic shield or coat of arms”
12th–13th Century
Anglo-French
escuchon
“A small shield; a shield-shaped heraldic device”
14th Century
Middle English
escوشcheon
“A heraldic shield or shield-shaped field bearing arms”
Modern English
English
escutcheonry
“The practice or study of heraldic shields and escutcheons”