The concept of a family crest, often intertwined with the term coat of arms, has fascinated people for centuries. These heraldic designs tell stories of heritage, honor, and lineage. But, what exactly is a family crest, and how does it differ from a coat of arms? Let's delve into the world of heraldry to find out.
The Definition and History
The term family crest may often be used interchangeably with coat of arms, but there are distinctions. Historically, a crest refers to a component of the full coat of arms that goes above the helmet. Over time, however, the term has colloquially grown to represent the entire heraldic achievement for a family.
Understanding the Symbols
The symbols on a crest are rich with meaning. Each element, from colors to shapes and figures, tells a part of the family's story. But, how do you know what these symbols mean? It requires understanding the language of heraldry, where, for example, a lion represents courage, and gold denotes generosity.
Colors and Their Meanings
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Gules (Red): Emblematic of valor, bravery, and strength, gules signifies the warrior or martyr and is often associated with military might and magnanimity.
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Azure (Blue): A symbol of loyalty, truth, and faithfulness, azure reflects a commitment to noble ideals and is frequently used to represent steadfastness and reliability.
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Vert (Green): Signifying hope, joy, and loyalty in love, vert is associated with growth, renewal, and a connection to the land, illustrating the bearer's optimism and attachment to nature.
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Sable (Black): Denoting constancy, sometimes grief, sable is used to convey the enduring nature of one's commitments, resilience, and the determination to stand firm in the face of adversity.
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Purpure (Purple): Associated with royal majesty, sovereignty, and justice, purpure signifies dignity, nobility, and regal authority, reflecting the regal and dignified aspects of the bearer.
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Or (Gold): Symbolizing generosity, elevation of the mind, and wisdom, or is often used to highlight significant elements of the crest, underscoring the importance of noble qualities and respect.
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Argent (Silver or White): Denoting peace, sincerity, and purity, argent is used to represent truth and innocence. In heraldic imagery, it suggests transparency and virtue.
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Tenné (Tawny or Orange): Symbolizing ambition and determination, tenné is less commonly used but can represent a worthy goal or quest. It's often associated with a desire to achieve and a willingness to strive for success.
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Ermine (White with Black Spots): More than a color, ermine is a pattern that symbolizes dignity and nobility, often used to denote purity and innocence, as well as a high standing in society.
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Murrey (Mulberry): A mix of red and purple, murrey signifies the passion of red combined with the royal qualities of purple. It's used to represent ambition, creativity, and the pursuit of power.
Common Symbols
| Symbol | Meaning | Symbol | Meaning | Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABYSS | The honor point of the shield, the very center. | FLEUR DE LYS | Said to represent the Christian Trinity. The national emblem of France it just as common in English, Spanish and Italian heraldry. | OSTRICH | An emblem of knowledge and understanding. |
| ACORN | The symbol of plenty, also used in coats of arms as a pun on the name (Canting arms) | FORK | An emblem of industry, normally a hay or dug fork. | OTTER | Denotes one who is intelligent and industrious. |
| ANCHOR | The emblem of hope, usually painted with a rope attached. | FOX | Emblematic of intelligence and a refusal to be captured. | OWL | No surprise, the symbol of prudence and wisdom. |
| ANNULET | A ring, the symbol of strength. The Roman symbol of Liberty. | FRET | The true love knot of heraldry. Also said to be a symbol of persuasion. | OX | An emblem of persistence. |
| ANT | Also known as the Emmet, patience and forethought. | FROG | The symbol of harmony and peace. | PALMER STAFF | Along with the Palmers Script, are symbols of those who fought in the Crusades. |
| ANTELOPE | The symbol of peace and harmony, the heraldic antelope is unlike its cousin in the zoo or safari park, featuring the body of a stag with the tail of the Unicorn and fearsome horns. | FUSIL | A spindle used in the spinning industry, emblem of industry. | PARCHMENT | Depicted in a roll, an emblem of wisdom. |
| APE and MONKEY | Used to signify sagacity. The crest of Fitzgerald. | GALTRAP | Another word for the Cheval Trap to disable horse cavalry. A spiked weapon. | PEACOCK | A symbol of power and omniscience, used in ecclesiastical heraldry often. |
| ARK-NOAHS | Rarely encountered, the symbol of the Church. | GARB | The symbol of plenty, a sheaf of wheat. | PEAR | Used as a canting device as in the name Perry, a symbol of plenty. |
| ARM | Very common in crests, denotes industry. | GAUNTLET | Said to signify military service. | PEGASUS | The emblem of fame. |
| ARROW | The symbol of readiness, commonly used as a pun on the surname, as in Fletcher (arrow maker), usually seen in crests, but occurs regularly on the shield also. | GILLY FLOWER | An ancient emblem of generosity. | PELICAN | Normally depicted in heraldry wounding herself in the chest and feeding her young with her own blood. The pelican is the symbol of charity. |
| ASS | Uncommon in heraldry, represents patience. | GLOBE | When shown fractured with clouds and rainbow is the symbol of hope. | PENTAGON | Rarely found in heraldry, an emblem of health. |
| AXE | The symbol of military service and duty. Very common in crests, less so on the shield. | GOAT | Emblematic of persistence and strength. | PHEON | A broad arrow head, symbolizes readiness to do battle. |
| BADGER | Also known as a brock, denotes intelligence. Rarely used. | GRAPE | Denotes industry and plenty. | PHOENIX | Known to all as the symbol of resurrection. |
| BARNACLE | Not a sea creature, but a horse grooming tool. Denotes service. | GRENADE | A bomb that constitutes a warning in heraldry. | PILLOW | Emblematic of authority. |
| BAR-SHOT | Two cannonballs connected by an iron bar. Symbol of military service. | GRIFFIN | The beautiful mythical mix of eagle and loin is the most well known of all the heraldic monsters. It is the emblem of valor and magnanimity. | PLATE | A piece of silver, said to denote involvement in the Crusades. |
| BAT | The representation of watchfulness. | HALBERT | A battle axe, the symbol of military service. | POMEGRANATE | This seedy fruit is an ancient symbol of plenty. |
| BEACON | From the Saxon word becnian, symbol of the call to arms. | HAND | Emblematic of faith. | PORTCULLIS | The armored gate with the chains and spikes is a symbol of protection. |
| BEAR | The emblem of family protection. | HARE | Denotes one who is intelligent in warfare. | PROBOSCIS | The elephant trunk is an emblem of nobility. |
| BEAVER | Industry and perseverance. | HARP | The heraldic symbol of Ireland for centuries. | QUATREFOIL | The primrose, and early spring flower in Europe. The symbol of revived nature, and was adopted by the Church as a symbol of immortality. |
| BEE | A more common symbol of industry. Denotes a self made man. | HARPY | A cross between a virgin and a vulture, its meaning is unknown | QUIVER | A case filled with arrows, symbolizes military readiness. |
| BELL | The emblem of warning. Also used in canting arms. | HAWK | The symbol of a man of action. | RABBIT | Termed a coney, the emblem of courage and wisdom. |
| BEZANT | Symbolizes someone involved in banking, and equal dealing. | HAWTHORN TREE | Denotes bad luck to one’s enemies. | RAINBOW | A symbol of hope and prosperity. |
| BILLET | An oblong square, said to represent building bricks. | HEART | Sometimes depicted in flames, the emblem of love and devotion. | RAM | The male sheep is an emblem of strength and perseverance. |
| BISHOPS MITRE | The emblem of service to the Church. | HEDGEHOG | An ancient symbol of cunning and perseverance. | RAVEN | The symbol of Divine Providence. |
| BLACKAMOOR | The symbol of one who fought in the Crusades, also termed a Moor. | HIND | The female of the stag, emblematic of one who will fight if provoked. | ROCK | Used often as a pun on the surname. It is an emblem of security. |
| BOAR | Also termed a Sanglier, the emblem of the fiercely combative. | HORSE | Denotes one who is ready to do battle. | ROSE | Denotes distinction. Also used to denote belonging to the House of York (white rose) or the House of Lancaster (red rose) and is the symbol of England. |
| BOOK | Denotes learning and a willingness to listen. Often painted with a motto on the page. | HORSE SHOE | The age-old symbol of good luck. | SALAMANDER | Depicted in flames, an emblem of sacrifice. |
| BUCKLE | The emblem of fidelity and firmness. Common in Scottish arms. | HOUND | Usually a Talbot, the emblem of leadership. | SALMON | From ancient times in Ireland, the symbol of knowledge. |
| BUGLE HORN | Another symbol of military service, not to be confused with the hunting horn. | HYDRA | A fantastic monster with seven heads, a symbol of fortitude. | SAVAGE | A wild man, usually painted with a club, or indeed a tree, over his shoulder. A common symbol of strength and valor. |
| BULL | Represents valor. Usually shown in a walking position. | IBIS | The Egyptian bird is emblematic of patience and virtue. | SCEPTRE | A royal staff, emblematic of authority. |
| BUTTERFLY | Symbol of peace. Canting arms device used in Butterfield arms. | IMPERIAL EAGLE | An eagle with two heads. The symbol of fortitude and magnanimity of mind. | SCIMITAR | The curved sword of the Saracens denotes one who took part in the Crusades. |
| CADUCEU’S | Also known as Mercury’s Rod. The symbol of wisdom & medicine. | INK-MOLINE | The center of a mill wheel, an emblem of industry. | SCYTHE | The emblem of husbandry, not death. |
| CALDRONA | Boiling pot, denotes a willingness to do battle. | IVY | The symbol of eternal life. | SEAX | A scimitar with a notch cut into it. The arms of the county of Essex, England. |
| CALTRAP | A nasty device to disable cavalry horses. An emblem of warning. | JACKDAW | A member of the crow family, symbolic of death. | SHAMROCK | Not widely used, the regular trefoil is more common, but is of course the symbol of the Christian trinity. And Ireland. |
| CAMELEOPARD | Actually a giraffe, denotes somebody who distinguished themselves in Africa. | JANUS HEAD | Emblematic of the passage of time. | SHEAF | Termed a garb in heraldry, an emblem of peace and plenty. |
| CANNON | Another common symbol of military service. | JOUSTING LANCE | Symbol of a knight in service. | SHELL | Worn on the sleeve as a symbol of pilgrimage. |
| CAP | Also termed Cap of Maintenance, denotes service to King and country. | KEY | An emblem of one in the service of the Church. | SHIELD | Used as an emblem of defense. |
| CARTWHEEL | A common symbol of industry. Also used as a pun, as in the arms of Carter. | KINGFISHER | Symbol of the halcyon of the ancients. Rarely found. | SIREN | A mermaid, the emblem of eloquence. |
| CASTLE | The emblem of safety. As in the arms of Gonzalez. | KNOT | A symbol of love and faith in its many forms. | SKELETON | The emblem of mortality. When depicted with a crown it is the symbol of Christian death. |
| CAT | Not to be confused with the household kitty. This is a Scottish wildcat, represents vigilance and courage. There are still 400 in the Highlands of Scotland. | LAMB | Normally painted with the staff and flag is the emblem of Christianity. | SNAIL | Rarely encountered, the symbol of patience and reward. |
| CATHERINE WHEEL | The symbol of martyrdom, a torture device in its day. | LANCE | Denotes one in active service as a knight. | SNAKE | A common heraldic charge, emblematic of wisdom & medicine. |
| CHAPLET | The emblem of peace and understanding. | LARK | An ancient symbol of eloquence. | SPEAR | In its many forms, symbolizes a knight in service. |
| CHOUGH | A raven like bird, symbolizes death. | LAUREL | Sometimes shown in a wreath, is the emblem of triumph. | SPUR | An emblem of readiness to do battle. |
| CINQUEFOIL | Said to denote joy and plenty. | LEGS IN ARMOR | The emblem of The Isle Of Man, seen also on the arms of MacLeod. | SQUIRREL | An early symbol of patience and perseverance. |
| CLAYMORE | Denotes military fortitude. The Highland broadsword. | LEOPARD | Emblematic of a valiant warrior. | STAG | A very common heraldic animal, often shown “at gaze.” An emblem of one who will fight if provoked. |
| CLOUD | Symbol of faith and consistency. | LILY | The regular kind, is the symbol of purity. | STONE | A symbol of solidity. |
| COCK | The rooster is the emblem of vigilance, virility, and bravery. | LION | Regarded as the noblest of all the wild beasts, making it the symbol of strength and valor. The best known heraldic symbol. | SUN | Often depicted with a face and termed “in its splendor” it is the emblem of glory. |
| COCKATRICE | A fantastic creature of heraldry said to symbolize sin. | LIZARD | An emblem of vigilance. | SWAN | The royal bird is the symbol of harmony. |
| CORMORANT | This sea bird denotes wisdom and watchfulness. | LOCHABER AXE | From the Scottish region of the same name, a symbol of military duty. | SWORD | The age-old emblem of honor in battle. |
| CORNUCOPIA | The horn of plenty. | LOZENGE | A diamond shape symbol of a widow. | TALBOT | A medieval type of hunting hound. Emblematic of leadership. |
| CRAB | An uncommon symbol of patience and cunning. | LURE | A hawks lure, an emblem of pursuit. | THISTLE | The heraldic badge of Scotland. |
| CRANE | Often shown holding a stone, which would drop if he fell asleep, thus waking him, this is an ancient representation of vigilance. | LYMPHAD | An ancient one-masted ship, emblematic of expedition. | THUNDERBOLT | The emblem of Jupiter, sometimes termed Jupiter’s Thunderbolt. |
| CRESCENT | Said to denote service in the Crusades. | LYNX | The wildcat denotes vigilance. | TIGER, HERALDIC | A different beast to the Bengal variety, a symbol of courage. |
| CROSS | The symbol of Christianity, there are over 200 different types in heraldry. | MACE | Ornamental staff, the emblem of authority. | TILTING SPEAR | A tournament lance, emblematic of a knight in service. |
| CUSHION | A symbol of authority. | MARINE-WOLF | A rather fanciful name for a seal. A symbol of vigilance. | TOWER | The symbol of strength and protection. |
| DAGGER | Honor in battle, a common charge in crests. | MARTLET | It was thought in medieval times that the swallow (martlet) did not have any feet. It is painted with two feathers where the feet should be and denotes somebody who subsists on wings of virtue. | TRIDENT | A three pronged fork, an emblem of solidity. |
| DART | An arrow, the symbol of readiness, certain “artists” have depicted an actual dart. | MAUNCH | The sleeve of a lady’s dress. Denotes service as a knight. It appears the cutting off of the sleeve and giving it to the knight was considered a high honor. | TUN | A barrel, emblematic of industry. |
| DOLPHIN | The symbol of charity. In heraldry, the dolphin is green and red with scales and spikes on his back. He is most certainly not Flipper. | MERMAID | The age-old symbol of eloquence. | UNICORN | The head, neck, and body of a horse, the legs of a buck, and the tail of a lion all topped off with a twisted horn. A symbol of courage. |
| DOVE | The emblem of peace and chastity. | MILL-RIND | The center part of the mill wheel, a symbol of industry. | VINE LEAVES | A symbol of industry and plenty. |
| DRAGON | This fantastic heraldic monster symbolizes courage. | MILL-WHEEL | Another symbol of industry, often found in the arms of Miller. | VULTURE | An uncommon emblem of rapacity. |
| EAGLE | Emblematic of fortitude and magnanimity of mind. | MITRE | Emblem of high authority in the Church. | WALL | A symbol of solidity, usually embattled. |
| ELEPHANT | Normally awarded to those who distinguished themselves in the Far East. | MOON | Emblematic of serenity. | WATER-BOUGET | A device used in ancient times to carry water to the camp. A symbol of military service. |
| ENFIELD | A fantastic mix of animals found on the crest of Kelly, symbolizing strength. | MULLET | A star of 5,6,8, or 12 points associated with military service. | WHALE | Emblematic of patience and understanding. |
| ESCALLOP | An early symbol of Christianity, worn on the sleeve. | MURAL CROWN | A crown composed of bricks, an emblem of power. | WHEAT | A symbol of plenty. |
| ESCARBUNCLE | The symbol of a leader, it was a series of clasps and bolts that strengthened a shield. | MYRTLE | Given to those who were victorious at the Julian Games. | WHEEL | A symbol of industry, often used as a pun on the name. Used in the arms of Carter. |
| EYE | The eternal emblem of providence. | NAIL | A symbol of passion. | WING | Termed a Vol in heraldry it is an emblem of protection. |
| FALCON | Representing a man of action. | NAVAL-CROWN | Denotes one with service in the navy, composed of masts and rigging. | WOOL-PACK | An emblem of industry. |
| FASCES | Symbolizing those who have held magisterial office. The fasces were also the emblem of the Italian fascist party under Benito Mussolini. | NIGHTINGALE | Emblematic of eloquence and truth. | WYVERN | A cross between a dragon and a serpent and is a symbol of courage. |
| FETTERLOCK | A symbol of authority, is frequently painted as a fetlock, the lower leg of a horse. It is, in fact, a medieval handcuff. | OAK | Painted as the tree, or leaf, it is an emblem of virtue and strength. | YEW TREE | An ancient English symbol of hope. |
| FISH | Another very common Christian symbol in heraldry. | OLIVE TREE | The best known symbol of peace and harmony. | ZODIAC | An unusual emblem of the celestial sphere. |
How to Find Your Family Crest
Finding your family's crest is a journey into your ancestry. But, where do you start? Begin with your surname, looking into historical records and heraldry databases or you can try to find on our website in search box. It's important to note that crests were granted to individuals, not families, so multiple crests could be associated with one surname.
Identifying a Real Crest
With many misconceptions and commercial reproductions, how can you identify a real family crest? Authentic crests have a history and documentation, often found in heraldic registries. Be wary of generic designs that lack specific family ties.
What Goes Into a Family Crest?
Understanding what goes into a family crest can help you appreciate its significance. From the shield to the motto, each component has a place and meaning, collectively representing the bearer's achievements and values.
Key Components
- Shield: The central element, bearing the main symbols
- Helmet: Positioned above the shield, denoting rank
- Mantling: Represents the knight's cloak, offering protection
- Motto: A phrase that reflects the family's ethos
Does Your Family Have a Crest?
Now that you know what a family crest entails and how to find it, you might wonder, does my family have a crest? If your ancestors hailed from Europe, there's a chance they might have one. Investigating your family tree and consulting with heraldic experts can uncover this fascinating aspect of your heritage.
The Legacy of Crests
In the tapestry of history, family crests serve as more than just ornamental designs; they are a testament to the legacy and values that families have carried through generations. Whether you're an enthusiast looking to discover your own family crest or a historian keen on the meanings behind these ancient symbols, the world of heraldry offers a fascinating journey into the past.
As you embark on this quest to find out more about your family's crest, remember that it's not just about the symbols or the coat of arms; it's about connecting with your ancestors and understanding the stories they left behind. Whether your crest is a simple shield or an elaborate tapestry of figures and colors, it holds a piece of your family's history, waiting to be rediscovered and cherished.
Preserving Your Family's Heraldic Heritage
For those fortunate enough to identify their family crest, the next step is preservation. Keeping these symbols alive, whether through jewelry, engravings, or documented histories, ensures that future generations can also appreciate and understand their rich heritage. In doing so, you not only honor your ancestors but also pass on a legacy of pride and identity.
Final Thoughts
While the quest to figure out your family's crest may lead to surprising discoveries, it's important to approach this journey with respect for the historical and cultural significance these emblems carry. Whether your surname is associated with a grand coat of arms or a more modest crest, each bears witness to the enduring spirit of families who have made their mark on history.
In conclusion, a family crest is much more than an artistic emblem; it's a symbol of identity, resilience, and the enduring bonds that tie us to our past. As we look to these symbols, we're reminded of where we come from and inspired to carry forward the values they represent.