This work serves as a comprehensive registry of armorial bearings across the British Isles, aiming to document the history and lineage of heraldic symbols from antiquity to the late 19th century. Sir Bernard Burke, a noted Ulster King of Arms, compiled this reference using official records, visitation documents, and historical manuscripts to provide a standardized index for researchers and historians. The text functions as a primary reference tool for identifying family coats of arms and understanding the evolution of heraldic design within the United Kingdom.

Historians and genealogists frequently cite this work as a foundational reference for heraldic research in the British Isles. Experts note that while the text is dense and technical, it remains a standard resource for verifying historical armorial data.