Cadency

Cadency is any system for telling apart the arms of different members of a family. Because a coat of arms belongs to one person, sons using their father's arms add a small mark of difference, called a brisure, to show their place in the family.

In English heraldry the marks follow birth order: a label for the eldest son, then a crescent, mullet, martlet, annulet, fleur-de-lis, rose, cross moline and double quatrefoil for the second through ninth sons. The system is voluntary in England and often ignored. The Earls Russell still bear the Duke of Bedford's arms with a mullet, because the first earl was a third son. Scotland enforces difference, mostly with a bordure in a new tincture.

The coat of arms maker has several of these marks: the crescent, mullet and annulet on the Shapes tab, and a fleur-de-lis and rose in the Plants group. Add a small one near the top of the shield, or use the Bordure ordinary. See family crest vs coat of arms for why arms belong to one person.