Harper Coat-of-Arms The earliest recorded Harper coat-of-arms was granted to Sir William Harper, Mayor of London, in 1568 and is described in ancient heraldic records as : Azure, on a fess between three eagles displayed or, a fret between two martlets of the first. Crest: Upon a crescent or charged with a fret between two martlets azure and eagle displayed of the last. The colours of the coat of arms being gold and blue. It is said that the small birds, known as martlets, in a man's coat-of-arms signified that he had raised himself to a position of nobility by his own endeavours, rather than that he had any inheritance, the martlet's lack of feet being a symbol of having no foundation on which to stand. Althourh there is no motto associated with this particular coat of arms, others have included "Te deum Laudamus" - We Praise Thee, O God.