Create a Family Motto: Wordplay with Meaning

Writing a Family Motto from Scratch 

Perhaps nothing could ever be as enduring as the Kennedy family’s call to “Ask not what your country can do for you…”. But, if you’re up for a challenge, crafting a family motto is a great way to leave a legacy. Maybe yours could rival even the most iconic ones! 

Need some inspiration? In this guide, we will help you create a family motto by playing with words inspired by family history, values, and anything under the sun that captures your family’s identity. 

What is a Family Motto?

A family motto is a phrase written above or below a full coat of arms. It is usually written in Latin, but some coats of arms are also written with Gaelic, French, and Greek mottos. Mottos can be passed down through generations, so creating one is a great way to incorporate your family’s personality into something that lasts. 

They aren’t limited to families either. For example, “Faugh a ballagh,” which basically means, ‘Get out of my way!’ is an Irish military motto used as a battle cry in the 18th-century wars and is still the motto of the Royal Irish Regiment today. You can also see Latin mottos in famous universities and institutions like banks and businesses. 

Mottos are powerful tools to express identity and a sense of unity (cue the battle cry). Making one for your family is like giving your lineage a catchphrase that sums up your family vibe, values, or maybe that thing your parents always say. Not “Wash your hands,” but a family slogan with flair!

Examples of Family Mottos

Here are a few examples of family mottos you can draw inspiration from: 

You can find more family motto inspirations here. 

Creating a Family Motto

1. Dig into your family history

If you already have a family crest, check to see if there’s a family motto. You can use that as inspiration if you want to make a new and updated one!

Coats of arms from your ancestors hold deep meaning, so try to dig into your family history and discover family traits or values from their stories. For example, if your ancestors were immigrants, you could draw inspiration from themes like geography, resilience, or their cultural roots.

2. Identify your family values

Think back to a time when your family faced a challenge, but certain traits helped you get through it. Say, levelheadedness or being strategic. You can use these traits when writing your family motto. It’s also a great way to remind the next generations of your character as a family.

3. Think of family sayings 

This is the part where you open your group chat messages and search for things your family always says. Maybe there are a couple of things like “Take a nap first.” It may seem simple, but it can spark inspiration for a motto about rest and bouncing back. Feel free to recall inside jokes and pep talks with your family, as these are great material for your motto. 

4. Set a tone

How do you want your family motto to sound? Poetic? Witty? Elegant? Serious? Fierce? Setting a tone is an important aspect to consider when writing your family motto, as it also shapes how others read or hear it.

A poetic tone might reflect that your family has an artsy vibe, while a witty tone reflects your family’s playful and humorous personality. In the end, you do you. Choose whatever tone feels authentic.

5. Play with words 

Now for the fun part! Bring out your wordsmith skills and play with rhymes, alliteration, imagery, and clever metaphors to create a unique and meaningful family motto. Don’t forget to draw inspiration from the ideas in the first part of this guide. Find the words that embody your family’s story and personality.

Remember, there are no rules for creating a family motto, so write away! 

6. Test it out

Now that you’re done drafting a family motto, it’s time to test it out. Try saying it aloud and think about how it sounds. Does it roll off your tongue naturally? Or you can also try adding it on your family coat of arms and see how it looks!

Ultimately, do the words sit right with your family? If it captures the essence of your family and what you stand for, then congratulations! You just created a family motto that can carry on to the next generations (or at least until you can show it off at the next family reunion).

Tools for Creating a Family Motto

There are free websites you can use to create your family motto, such as CoaMaker and English Heritage, that offer templates to ensure the phrase fits your family crest.

However, if you’re still feeling a bit stuck after following this guide and could use some extra inspiration, you can use this free motto generator to help spark your creativity!

Why Creating a Family Motto Matters

If you remember your parents’ nagging reminders like “Turn off the lights!” or “Put the seat down!” it’s because they were often repeated to you when you were younger.  

Now, imagine doing the same but with words that carry wisdom and values. Sure, they’d remember to save electricity, but they will also carry with them your family motto and what it means. It will empower them in their daily lives and guide them like a North Star. 

Passing it On

Creating a family motto is a meaningful way to pass down important life lessons. It can stem from anything. From inside jokes in the family to traits and values that helped your family overcome challenges. When these experiences are transformed into a family motto on a family crest, they become more than just words.