Finding your family crest and understanding the rich heritage from where you came can be hugely beneficial to those who take the time to investigate into theirs.
Indeed, for those who don’t know much about their extended family tree or who don’t have access to a great amount of information on it, it can be a time-consuming task.
That’s why Family Crests & Arms work with people in The USA and all over the world to help them to find their family crest – but why take the time? Consider the following…
Family Crest = Family History
There’s a common misconception that family crests were simply branding used to identify knights and soldiers in historical battles. True, that is how they began but in truth, their rich history has grown to communicate so much more information than just identification!
Crests have evolved over the centuries, different generations have added in new symbols, colours and designs to honor their own achievements and work.
Each of these over time contributes to the overall story and provides clues to the transformation and evolution of the family over time.
Understanding your Lineage
In the 2020 census, only 1.1% of the US population identified as either solely American Indian or Alaskan Native (AIAN), with around 4% of the population identifying as AIAN bi-racial.
This means that for the heavy majority of the country, their family history and heritage comes from elsewhere in the world – and tracing it may not be as easy as those who are documented within North America only.
Finding your family crest and understanding the history behind it allows you to better learn about your ancestors and their values, achievements, traditions and accomplishments.
Furthermore, all of these traits contribute to who you are and can help you find a greater sense of self.
Unlocking Ancient Celebrations
Your family crest isn’t just a symbol but a gateway to finding the ancient customs, rituals, and celebrations that were once key to your ancestors’ lives.
Many family crests hold hidden meanings tied to historical traditions, whether in the form of specific colors, animals, or symbols that represent beliefs and practices.
By tracing the origins of your crest, you can uncover connections to things like cultural rites, seasonal festivals, or even ancestral ceremonies that have been passed down for centuries.
Imagine if your crest features a Celtic knot or a Nordic rune, it could indicate ties to ancient Druidic rituals, Viking ceremonies, or even things like medieval festivals celebrating harvests and solstices.
Coats of arms that have religious or heraldic symbols can be linked to sacred traditions like knightly orders, royal courts, or local feasts that were once celebrated by your earliest ancestors.
Embracing these traditions can provide a deeper connection to your heritage and offer opportunities to honor your ancestors in meaningful ways. Whether it’s reviving a forgotten family festival, learning traditional crafts, or incorporating symbolic rituals into modern celebrations, exploring these customs can enrich your personal and family identity.
Strengthening Family Relationships and Legacies
The more you understand about your heritage and who and where you come from, the more you can decide how to factor this into your current home life.
Learning about values, identity and tradition can help you implement such traits into daily family life and adapt and adopt what works for you and those around you; as well as what legacy you want to leave behind to honor those before and after you.
There’s a great amount of joy and fascination to be found in researching and reading up on heritage and history. Learning more on your own background can help get excited for this journey to greater education and understanding.
Start today
Ready to take the first step to discovering your family crest and all the clues it contains? Get in touch with the Family Crests & Arms team today.
