In heraldic science, arms are distinguished by different names, to
denote the causes of their being borne, such as _arms of dominion_,
of _pretension_, of _concession_, of _community_, of _patronage_, of
_family_, of _alliance_, of _succession_, and of _assumption_. Those
of _dominion_ and _sovereignty_ are those which emperors, kings,
and sovereign states constantly bear, being, as it were, annexed to
the territories, kingdoms, and provinces they possess. Thus there
are the arms of England, of France, of the United States, &c. Arms
of _pretension_ are those of kingdoms, provinces, or territories,
to which a prince or lord has some claim, and which he adds to his
own, although such kingdoms or territories are possessed by another
prince or lord. Arms of _concession_, or _augmentation of honor_,
are entire arms, as the fortress of Gibraltar on the escutcheon of
Lord Heathfield. Arms of _community_ belong to bishoprics, cities,
companies, &c. Arms of _patronage_, to governors of provinces, lords
of manors, &c. Arms of _family_ are the property of individuals;
and it is criminal in any persons not of the family to assume them.
Arms of _alliance_ show the union of families and individuals. Arms
of _succession_ are taken up, by those who inherit certain estates,
manors, &c., either by will, entail, or donation, and which they
impale or quarter with their own. This multiplies the titles of
some families from necessity, and not from ostentation. Arms of
_assumption_, or _assumptive arms,_ are taken up by the caprice or
fancy of persons who assume them without a legal title. They are also
such as a man of his proper right may assume, with the approbation of
his sovereign and of the king of arms.