Mermaid

Mermaid

Mermaid, (fr. siréne): composed of the upper half of a woman(with dishevelled hair) joined to the lower half of a fish. It occurs but very seldom as a charge upon true English arms. The Siren seems to be only another name for the mermaid.

Argent, a mermaid gules, crined or, holding a mirror in her right hand, and a comb in her left, both gold--ELLIS, Lancashire.

Vert, three mermaids two and one, each holding comb and mirror or--WOLLSTONECRAFT, Essex and London, granted 1765.

Azure, a siren with comb and glass argent within a bordure indented gules--French family of POISSONNIERE.

A mermaid is found on the Seal of Sir William Bruvire, or Bruere, temp. Richard I., and probably had its origin in the tales told by travellers who joined in the crusades.

Mermaids occur frequently as supporters; e.g. to the arms of the Burgh of MONTROSE, as also as crests, e.g. of Lord BYRON; and Sir John WALLOP, temp. Henry VIII., who bore a black mermaid with golden hair.

The German family of DIE ERSTENBERGER bear as their crest a mermaid, but with wings instead of arms.