Heraldic Description Ladd Coat-of-Arms: "Or, a fesse wavy between three escallops, sable" Translated as: "On a gold background a wide wavy black line divides three scallop shells." The motto is: “Constant Et Ferme” (Always Ready)

ESCALLOP SHELL: (fr. coquille). Bearings for those who have made long voyages, or who have had important naval commands, and gained great victories; much used by pilgrims.

This is the badge of a pilgrim, also a symbol of the Apostle St. James the Great, who is generally drawn in the garb of a pilgrim. As it is found in ancient heraldry as early as Henry III.’s time, it was probably suggested by the eastern pilgrimages. It is borne in various ways, often surmounting an ordinary or other charge, especially a cross, chief, or bordure, etc. It is clear that the old French term coquille (from which we derive out modern cockle shell), is the same, though heralds pretend that when this is used the shell should have the edge upwards. The shell is always represented with the outside of the valve towards the spectator; but in French arms the interior is sometimes shown, and then the term vannet is used.

From: "A GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN HERALDRY" by JAMES PARKER, FIRST PUBLISHED in 1894