The Christman Coat-of-Arms

Today is Flag Day and I thought of all the flags in the world, particularly America's. For whatever reasons my thoughts then drifted to those of a medieval coat of arms, a "personal" flag, if you will. We had been asked to design our own in middle school history projects, though I cannot recall how mine looked. If I had one now of my choosing, what would it be?

I am as uncreative as I am lucky enough to make up for it. Traditionally, the oldest of brothers inherits the family coat of arms unchanged (while younger brothers would have to change it slightly). Score!

The Internet has come a long way since I was a lad in middle school. Now you can actually search online for the coat of arms associated with various surnames. There's just one personal problem. "Christian" isn't my true family name. It's just a product of Ellis Island immigration clerks giving my Polish family a more "American" name. I've long said I should take the example of Malcolm X, who changed his slave-owner-given name to "X'. I should be T.J. X. "Christian" is the name the white man has given to me. On the other hand, “T.J. X” is too many letters. I also have gotten used to and like the name "Christian", and it makes all the old church ladies think I'm saintly. Which I am.

But I digress. My mother's maiden name is Agresta, which is certainly authentic Italian, but I couldn't seem to locate the Agresta coat of arms. I'll leave its design as an exercise for my cousins. Although I couldn't locate "Christian", what I did find is the coat of arms for the family "Christman". Pretty close. The name originated in the 12th century; it was derived from the name "Christianus". Now we're cooking! That's "Christian" Romani-style! It's also good enough.

Without pasting a picture, I'll give the German-to-English translated description of the coat of arms: "The shield is gold. On a green three-top hill a man, clothed blue with a blue hat, holding a torch in his right hand." Not awe-inspiring, I'll admit. Fortunately for my ego, I'm just using it as a proxy. I am assured my actual coat of arms is much more manly.

According to heraldic descriptions, the colors represent:
Gold - Splendor and wealth (I hope so!)
Blue - Reputation and kindness (I do what I can)
Green - Love, honor, and courtesy (and you know what I think of green!)

From my youth I do recall a coat of arms stored perhaps down cellar. I think it was red and white (Polish colors) with a lion on it. That's a very reassuring thought that one exists. Next time I'm home, I'll try and find that coat of arms, in case it is still there. It will be exciting to discover my roots.