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I would judge, as is usually the case, that it is unlikely that any of your ancestors had coats-of-arms. This is based on the supposition that if they did, you would know about it. This would be especially the case if you have done genealogical research as the issue would have arisen.
One reason people seek to display their 'family' coat-of-arms is, of course, family pride, but also family vanity; wanting to show an ancient and respectable lineage.
You may, as I probably do, have armigerous ancestors (i.e, Richard Smith, Sheriff of London), but so far back, and through female lines, that proving it simply would not be worth the hassle. Since most of my lines have been in North American for about 270 years, the chances of my proving an armigerous ancestor is very small, indeed.
Consider this, though, you too are an ancestor. Any legitimate coat-of-arms was, at one time, brand-new. To me, a coat of arms is meant to identify a person; but also to bring to mind that person's life and accomplishments, and to motivate their descendants to adopt the values they held dear, and to improve upon those accomplishments. In 200 years, your arms may not only be considered legitimate, but envied.
Considering the obvious value Americans (or anyone) place on the very real accomplishments of their ancestors, and the (perhaps subliminal) recognition of Heraldry as a means of memorializing those achievements, it is sad that the USA does not have a civil Heraldic Authority. There is an obvious need, and the expertise exists.
Your dilemma is that you would like to establish armorial bearings on behalf of your ancestors. If your fathers, or even grandfathers, are living, and co-operative, that is still possible. If not, then since they did not begin such a tradition, it is for you to do.
A Celtic element you may be interested in the the Triske or triskelion. It comes in a variety of forms.
http://www.tween-the-shadows.com/magick/symbols_magick/triskele.php
http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/14/1419.html
http://www.byrebooks.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Triple_Triskele_42.html
One of my favourites, the triquetra knot:
http://www.seeekers.net/Celtic/meaning_of_celtic_symbols.htm
http://forgottensea.50megs.com/armory/hrothgarthesmith.html
Obviously, the triskelion has mystic symbolism for some. The Society of Creative Anachronism (which has its own heralds, and whose members routinely assume arms) bans it use (supposedly; but they still use it) as it is a religious symbol; yet it appears in normal arms (Isle of Man for example), and the SCA is not a Heraldic Authority as such.
In my opinion it WOULD be okay for you to create your own coat-of-arms. Again, just take the time to read a bit, and perhaps seek help from someone more experienced than myself. I also feel that you should design separate arms, and then combine them, side-by-side (yours on the right as you view the shield, but on the left of the shield if you were standing behind it.)
The viking helmet (if you mean horns, etc.) is a bit of a myth; and I don't believe appears in Heraldry. Horns would catch a sword-stroke and focus the blow onto the head. Helmets were designed to deflect blows. A 'Hagar-the-Horrible' helmet was exceddingly rare, and if they existed, entirely ceremonial. Wings, maybe, horns, no. This also raises the questions as to what 'viking' means; and thousands of words have been spent on that debate. See:
http://www.ngw.nl/int/nor/f/fitjar.htm
http://www.hrc-crest.com/HLM774.gif
http://www.northerner.com/products/scg-s52a.html
If you wish to specify a viking helm of these types, instead of the standard esquire's tilting helm, that would be your perogative. Remember, the USA has no Heraldic Authority to deny it. You may start a new 'fashion' in Heraldry.
A possible indication of Nordic origins might be the cross on the flags of Sweden, Norway, etc. Your husband may know the technical term; Nordic cross? A 'chief' is the upper third of a shield. Let us suppose the shield was gules (red) with whatever design you wanted; then on a chief argent (silver/white) you had a Nordic cross azure (blue)? In other words, suggest the Nordic flags, but not quite use them. Your husband might be interested in an apparent debate at:
http://flagspot.net/flags/se-scani.html
Also, note the South Uist flag at:
http://www.fotw.us/flags/gb-heb.html
For cuisine, I was thinking of a gold spoon? For example, if the main part of the shield had a saltire cross, on the cross could be two spoons or in saltire. A chef's toque? I didn't know it was called a toque. In Canada, the word refers to a somewhat different head-gear. But the origin is French, so perhaps. I actually like it. it is identifiable, and there is little doubt as to its meaning. 'A chef's toque argent, piped sable.' Again, why not? Start a tradition. Bishops use their mitres, etc. I think, as a crest, it might be a bit silly (a chef's toque on a viking helm?), but as a charge on the shield (in a canton perhaps) not all that silly.
As for the institute your husband graduated from. If they have a coat-of-arms, who granted it to them? If they just assumed them, are they really suitable? As for using elements of those arms, just ask them. (Perhaps in a canton: a square in the upper right (your left) of the shield.) In Canada, many persons are descended from Loyalists who were in the American Revolution. To mark a descendant of a Loyalist, the Canadian Heraldic Authority has devised a loyalist military coronet and a Loyalist civil coronet. These have begun to appear on arms of Canadian citizens. The use of such ensignia, to represent ancestral history, or personal membership (in an order of chivalry for example) is fairly well-known.
There is another board on Heraldry and Coats-of-arms at:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/board/an/topics.heraldry
If you come up with designs, you can submit them (and attach the images) for commentary by more experienced persons. They will also help with blazoning (the technical description) of those designs, correction of errors, suggestions for alteration, etc. They will also be able to put you in touch with societies specializing in Heraldry, design and registration. The basic elements you will need are: shield, helmet (esquire's tilting helm, or viking?), wreath and mantling and crest (not the shield, but on top of the helmet.)
A site on Girl Guides (Girl Scouts) stated:
"None of the Guide badges should be a shield because in heraldry the shield is a male prerogative... female is a lozenge (diamond). The shields ARE all Guide badges (heraldic Guide badges) but in heraldry they are incorrect because a female can not have her arms on a shield it must be a diamond."
which is sort of true, but I can cite several instances of ladies with legitimate shields. I really wish the College of Arms would get over that nonsense. Her Majesty recently made it mandatory that (after Prince William) the eldest child, regardless of gender, should inherit the throne. This is a significant move as if William's eldest child is a daughter, she will be Princess of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, in her own right, and her arms will be on a shield. This precedence should signal the end of that kind of sexism in Heraldry.
Thomas
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