Peter O'Donoghue

Peter O’Donoghue is York Herald of Arms at the College of Arms in London. Peter is a heraldic and genealogical scholar with over fourteen years’ professional experience in the field. He entered the profession on graduating from Cambridge in 1994 and worked for many years as a freelance genealogist and historian, whilst also acting as research assistant to a member of the College of Arms. In 2003 he was made a probationer at the College of Arms, and was appointed a Officer of Arms by The Queen in January 2005. He is responsible for designing new coats of Arms for both private individuals and corporate bodies. He also carries out a great deal of heraldic research on behalf of clients, and advises public and private bodies on the use of Arms. Peter has been joint editor of The Coat of Arms journal since 2004 – this is the leading English language scholarly journal dedicated to the subject. He also edits the College’s quarterly e-newsletter. He had delivered lectures on a variety of heraldic subjects and his publications include articles on heraldry in the genealogical press as well as The Coat of Arms. As a historian of organisations he has researched and written a full-length history of one trade body, and conducted historical research for a number of others. He is a freeman of the Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers.