Family Names and Crests

Family crests and coats of arms are powerful family symbols passed down through generations.

They were commonly used throughout the 11–17th centuries, and they can still be meaningful reminders for families past, present, and future.

The symbolism in the design of a family crest or coat of arms can tell you about your ancestors' achievements and status in society—a real testament to a family’s legacy. Knights typically had coats of arms and family crests.

What Is Heraldry?

Heraldry is a system used to design, display, and record coats of arms and family crests. These symbols were often used to differentiate knights in tournaments—picture the brightly emblazoned shields carried by medieval knights in shining armor. But heraldry was used for more than just tournaments. It allowed people to recognize opposing sides on battlefields, family lineages, alliances, and more.

Today, heraldry is still used by some individuals, companies, and cities to display their heritage and achievements. In modern uses, it can also be used to portray family values and ambitions.

What Is a Coat of Arms?

A coat of arms is a symbol used to identify families or individuals. It is a detailed design that often includes a shield, crest, helmet, motto, and more. The image could be used as a whole, or the crest can be used as a simplified symbol.

Going back to the medieval knight, remember the brightly emblazoned shield? The design on the knight’s shield was often the knight’s coat of arms.

Coats of arms can help you learn a lot about your ancestry. They were intended to recognize achievements and family heritage, so the design can provide insight into your family’s legacy. They’re also passed down through generations and carry the history of the family with them.

What Is a Family Crest?

In a full coat of arms, the crest literally crests the design—that is to say that it is often located at the top of the image. The family crest is a smaller part of the design that can be used on its own when the entire coat of arms is too complex. Once again going back to the knight in shining armor, the crest may have been attached to the knight’s helmet.

Common family crests include a lion, cross, tiger, or horse, but there are many others out there. Some even use unicorns or monsters. Alternatively, the term family crest can refer to the overall design. Over time, family crest became interchangeable with coat of arms, but the distinction is still important to understand, particularly if you’re searching for your family crest.