What Is a Family Crest?

Technically, the term family crest refers to the image that appears on the helmet of a family's coat of arms, a family symbol that dates back to the medieval time period. However, over the years, the term family crest has become a synonym for coat of arms. (See References 2)

Origins

In medieval times, a coat of arms would be granted to an individual. The individual passed down the coat of arms to family descendants, turning the coat of arms into a family symbol. (See References 2)

Significance

Warriors used to wear their family crest into battle to show pride. The family crest also helped to identify any causalities of battle. (See References 1)

Types

Family crests come in seven colors--gold, silver, black, red, blue, green and purple. The family crest's color represents the family's charge (role in society). (See References 1)

Images

The images on a family's coat of arms represents that family's supposed characteristics. For examples, a unicorn symbolizes purity, and a boar symbolizes endurance and courage. (See References 3)

Considerations

You can go to various websites to view your family crest. Go to websites such as House of Names and All Family Crests (both links can be found under resources), and type in your last name to view your family's coat of arms. (See Resources 1 and 2)

References

• 20-20 Site: History of the Family Crest
• House of Names: FAQ
• Heraldry.ws: The "Meaning" of Coat of Arms

Resources

• All Family Crests
• House of Names