John de Havilland

John von Sonnentag de Havilland, FSA (17 October 1826—18 September 1886) was an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London during the 19th century. He is notable for being one of only two English officers of arms to have been born in the United States of America. The other was Blanche Lyon Pursuivant Extraordinary Alexander Ochterlony, who was appointed in 1784.

Personal life

John de Havilland was born on 17 October 1826, probably near Philadelphia. His father, John Haviland, practiced as an architect and an engineer. His mother Mary ("née" Wright) was the daughter of Captain WL von Sonnentag of the French Army. She was also the sister and heiress of General Sir George von Sonnentag, Governor of South Russia. John de Havilland was a barrister at the Inner Temple as well as a Professed Knight of Justice of the Order of Malta. In 1872, he was made a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. He is also remembered as a soldier of fortune who served in Spain under Don Carlos. According to the "College of Arms Monograph", he was of uncommon physical strength and was one of the most picturesque characters in the history of the College of Arms. John von Sonnentag de Havilland died on 18 September 1886 and was buried at Langford Budville.

Heraldic career

John de Havilland began his career as an officer of arms in 1866 when he was appointed Rouge Croix Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary. On 26 March 1872, he was promoted to the position of York Herald of Arms in Ordinary. It is also notable that de Havilland helped in the publication of the 1878 edition of "Burke's General Armory", which is a standard reference work for those interested in heraldry. As mentioned above, de Havilland is one of only two American-born officers of arms to have served at the College of Arms.

Coat of arms

John de Havilland used a coat of arms recorded at the 1623 visitation of Gloucester. The arms are blazoned "Argent three Towers triple-towered Sable Portcullises Gules". As York Herald, de Havilland impaled these with his maternal arms of von Sonnentag, blazoned "Argent a Sun in splendor proper" and used a Chief of Religion as a Knight of Malta in addition to setting his shield on the Maltese Cross.

References

*Mark Noble, "A History of the College of Arms". (London, 1805).
*Walter H Godfrey and Sir Anthony Wagner, "The College of Arms, Queen Victoria Street: being the sixteenth and final monograph of the London Survey Committee". (London, 1963).