Thanks, Sheila!

Unfortunately, there is no coat of arms for any surname. There were (and are) coats of arms that some individuals assumed, or the coats of arms were granted to them by the ruler of their country or by some heraldic authority. It is possible that certain man with surname Radakovic was an armiger (= bearer of arms), but only his descendents (by direct male line) are his heraldic heirs, if they still exist today. I didn't find any record of historical Radakovic arms yet, but, who knows... The same for Grgic.

I believe that Mr. Eterovich is a heraldic and genealogic researcher and scientist, BUT, he has NO right to sell other people's arms! At the same web page where I believe you found his selling offers and prices, is a long list of Serb and Croat surnames. All those were historical armigerous families -- I recognized a majority of those surnames appearing in our medieval armorials (books of arms). So, CAVEAT EMPTOR! (= "buyer beware!")

Please, Sheila (and others), know this and be careful -- a coat of arms (further: CoA) cannot be sold or bought. If there is an existing CoA, it can be only transmitted through generations of the armiger's descendants who also inherit his surname. (I wonder if Mr. Eterovich knows about this ?!?)

You can pay someone to do an heraldic research, as well as you can pay the genealogist for his research, and you know which kind of "product" you could expect (respectively, a coat of arms, or a family tree).

A person who doesn't have his/her own CoA, and is not a heraldic heir, can rightfully assume a new CoA, provided that this new CoA is not identical to any existing one (this can be checked in collections of arms -- heraldic books -- armorials and ordinaries). If this person is not skilled in heraldic design, he/she can (and should) ask someone who is (a herald, a heraldic researcher, a heraldic artist, etc...) for help.

Old arms are not more worthy than the new ones -- they might only be more known and famous.

Once when you (for example) get your own coat of arms, it becomes only yours, and no other person is entitled to use it, except your children as your heraldic heirs. Other persons who bear the same surname as you, and not being members of your family, are not entitled to bear your arms. This means that when you have your CoA, it's your right, honour and duty to protect that CoA, because it is a mark of identity.

In some countries, a CoA can be registered by an heraldic authority. It isn't an obligation to have your arms registered (except in UK, Spain and some other countries), but it is the only way to have your CoA fully protected. An heraldic authority will reject any submitted arms that are identical to already existing ones, or that are not designed under heraldic rules.

Well, reading all this might be boring, but, not to warn you would be very dishonest of me. There are many heraldic sites that sell something. Almost everything can be sold and bought nowadays. As a member of the Association of Amateur Heralds I have learned about a lot of people around the world who bought a "Smith coat of arms" or a "Jones crest", and later, when they learned more about heraldry, they realized they were victims of fraud.

Anyone who wish to buy any kind of heraldic product should consult one or more heraldic experts first, and then make a decision.

Be in good health.
Yours,
Sasa

Oh, yes, I expect the other participants in our forums to read my posting carefuly. It is very important.

Looking forward to your comments.

Sasa, It was not boring at all what you have written. I found it very educational. Too, you save me the money.......I would have stupidly sent to him. thank you for that. Perhaps, in time as I hopefully learn more about my Radakovic, Radakovich(English spelling) I will know more. What does it take to design a CoA for a person?
As for the Grgic family name. All I know is on my grandmothers side of the family there was a Duke of Grgic.With out looking at the paper my cousins sent me. I believe he said that goes back to somewhere around the 1460's. I'll look at it again and let you know.
I certainly appreciate your responce to my post.
Talk with you later,
Best Regards,
Sheila

Sasa, Perhaps now that I am back to work. I may just send for that CoA's just to see what he sends me. I am curious at this point, after what you have explained to me. Upon getting it I will scan it in to my computer and send it to you or Sergej.
Again thanks,
Be safe and happy,
Sheila