This article refers to supporters in heraldry. In British English, fans of sports teams are often referred to as supporters.

In heraldry, supporters are figures placed on either side of the shield and depicted holding it up. These figures may be real or imaginary animals, human figures, and in rare cases plants or inanimate objects. Often these can have local significance, such as the fisherman and the tin miner granted to Cornwall County Council, or a historical link, such as the lion of England and unicorn of Scotland on the two variations of the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom. The arms of nutritionist John Boyd-Orr use two garbs (wheat sheaves) as supporters. Letters of the alphabet are used as supporters in the arms of Valencia.

Supporters are by default as close to rampant as possible if the nature of the supporter allows it (this does not need to be mentioned in the blazon), though there are some blazoned exceptions. Fierce animals are often depicted langued (with their tongue sticking out); this denotes a roar.

Entitlement

In the United Kingdom, supporters are typically an example of special royal favour, granted at the behest of the sovereign. Hereditary supporters are normally limited to hereditary peers, certain members of the Royal Family, chiefs of Scottish clans, and Scottish feudal barons whose baronies predate 1587. Non-hereditary supporters are granted to life peers, Knights and Dames of the Garter, Knights and Dames of the Thistle, Knights and Dames Grand Cross of the Bath and Knights and Dames Grand Cross of St Michael and St George, Knights and Dames Grand Cross of the Victorian Order, Knights and Dames Grand Cross of the British Empire and knights banneret.

Canada

In Canada, Companions of the Order of Canada, people granted the style "the Right Honourable", and corporations are granted the use of supporters on their coats of arms.

Heraldry

Schildhalter | תומכים (הרלדיקה) | Trzymacze heraldyczne