Heraldyka
Heraldyka - Heraldry
Article on Wikipedia (Artykuł na Wikipedii)
True Ostoja Coat of arms
Those Coa are painted according to heraldic rules, those are true to the heritage of ancient Ostoja families.
Imaginary Ostoja Coa
Those Coat of arms as below are of noble families that are not of the Clan of Ostoja but by lesser knowledge where linked en masse to Ostoja simply because the moon or the sword in the shield. The list of imaginary Ostoja Coat of arms might be longer than here presented. There are also Russian families that was ennobled and given the Coat of arms that also looked like Ostoja during the partition time and that some call Ostoja. It is also possible that Coa where painted with error during nobility veryfication process during the partition.
Von Finkenstein Coat of Arms
Finally, below is the Coat of arms of ancient german family of von Finkenstein, also written as Fink von Finkenstein refering to family of Fink that is noted in german records already in XIII century. This family moved at that time to the land occupied by Teutonic Knights. In time this family become one of most prominent german families owbing great estates, Palaces and holding highest positions, they belong to the top of german aristocracy.
It is not known who invented to call this Coa Ostoja Pruska but it is significant example of breaking every rule possible. There are two families that joined Clan of Ostoja in XV-XVI century, lived in Pomerania and that have been given this Coat of arms by all publications - the families of Lniski and Skrzyszewski. Here is is notable that Lniski family is named in german books already in the begining of XV century and that we also have records of the Skrzyszewski line in XVIII century that changed their name to Lniski. Skrzyszewski have records back to XVI century, Lniski back to the begining of XV century. But, record tell also about another line of Skrzyszewski that took the name of Lniski.
