Arms: Argent an oak tree proper fructed Or between two roses of four lobes Gules seeded and barbed proper on a chief wavy Azure three martlets Argent.
Mantling: Azure doubled Argent.
Crest: Issuant from a wreath of the colors a panache of three ostrich feathers Gules, Argent and Azure.
Design Rationale:
Genealogical research on Ed Martin's paternal ancestors has not revealed anyone who was armigerous, so a decision was reached to assume personal arms that could descend to future generations. Mr Martin and his wife have two sons and each may choose to “difference” his crest and motto while preserving the blazon of the shield.
While Martin is an ancient surname found in different regions of the world, Mr. Martin's research indicates his ancestors were mostly English. Existing arms on record for other Martins have some charges in common. One of these is the martlet. A martlet is a heraldic bird that lacks feet. Arms with martlets are “canting arms” meaning a pun on the surname. Mr. Martin and his wife are keen birders, so that also fits.
The Argent [silver] field of the shield and the Azure [blue] chief wavy allude to the natural environment and the family's love of the ocean and aquatic activities like boating, beaches, fishing. The oak tree is a reference to English ancestry as well as the natural environment -- the Martin home being set in a beautiful forest.
The two red roses represent the two sons and also memorialize the armiger's father, who loved tending his rose garden.
