Chris Green wrote:As a non-Swede it would clearly be inappropriate for him to assume arms that could be construed as "Swedish".
What does this mean?
As a US citizen he could of course assume any arms he chose ...
Legally, yes. Ethically, only arms that don't infringe on the armorial rights of others.
As an English-born person he would however be able to receive a grant of arms - and that CoA might refer to his US and Swedish (Austrian for that matter) links (though I am sure the College of Arms would be careful to ensure that the design did not pretend to be officially Swedish by its use of charges e.g. from the Swedish royal arms).
Of course. In a way, the model here are the coats of arms designed (as I recall) by Ronny Andersen for Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, and for her father, Prof. John Donaldson. The arms allude to MacDonald and to Australia.
In any case, how do we know that Mr. O'Neill isn't already entitled to arms of his own? O'Neill isn't exactly an obscure name in Irish history. I'm sure someone out there is beavering away at the genealogy at this very moment.