People often think that coats of arms are old news. Like they’re something you’d only see on knights, castles, and forgotten empires. But many American families still carry them.
Some of these families are known for their skyscrapers and Senate seat legacies. But behind the headlines, they also carry something older and more meaningful: their family crest.
Each symbol in their family crest represents a story about their family’s ambition, legacy, and just the right amount of “We were here first!”
Let’s take a closer look at these family sigils...
The Kennedy Family
The Kennedy family is one of America’s most prominent political families. It's also a well-known fact that President JFK had Irish roots.
Their family coat of arms nods to that heritage, featuring three gold helmets on a blue shield. These symbolize protection, strength, and having the spirit of a warrior. The design on his family crest is a combination of his father’s (Kennedy) and his mother’s (Fitzgerald) Irish family names.
John F. Kennedy was not the first president of the US bearing a family coat of arms. Folks before him like Washington, Jefferson, and Roosevelt (we’ll talk about him later) also had family crests when they were elected. Surprisingly, some presidents, like Bush and Obama, didn’t have their own crests.
The Kennedys' family motto, Avise La Fin (Consider the end), reminds us to think about our actions' consequences. This is fitting for a family so involved in politics and public service.
The Roosevelt Family
The name Roosevelt has been written in history twice thanks to distant cousins Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt. These two served as U.S. Presidents who were both great war strategists and bold national leaders. What many people don't know is that their family has Dutch roots, tracing back to Cles Maartenszen van Rosenvelt (yep, sometimes spellings change over time), who moved to New York around the 1600s.
Theodore mediated the end of the Japanese-Russian War in 1904, while Franklin led the US through the Great Depression and World War II. Their family crest design includes a rose because, fun fact, the name Roosevelt means “field of roses” in Dutch. Roses in heraldry mean hope, so it tracks! They were literally built to bloom and led America through its darkest hours.
If names like Roosevelt and Kennedy have family crests, who’s to say yours doesn’t? You can start tracing your family history and find your family crest. It might have been hiding in plain sight for generations!
The Vanderbilt Family
The Vanderbilts were once the richest American family, rising from humble Dutch beginnings. The most prominent figure in their family was Cornelius Vanderbilt, known as “The Commodore,” who started a small ferry and railroad business and eventually owned the most powerful transportation networks in U.S. history.
Unlike the old-money Schuylers, the Vanderbilts were nouveau riche, which means new money (and they knew it). To match the prestige of older aristocratic families, they searched for their family crest. When they couldn’t find one, they commissioned their own.
Dutch heraldry is known to focus more on simpler styles, which is why its designs are closer to those of medieval times. This is seen on the Vanderbilts’ family crest, featuring three acorns on a green field, symbolizing independence, resilience, and growth. This perfectly captures the Vanderbilts’ journey to generational wealth from scratch!
The Rockefellers
The Rockefeller name is practically synonymous with wealth in America. John D. Rockefeller, the founder of Standard Oil, is the first billionaire of the country. What a lot of people don’t know is that their family is originally from Germany and moved to America in the early 18th century. Some of their family members also have Scots-Irish ancestry, making their lineage full of rich history.
Their coat of arms consists of:
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Two rocks (strength and stability)
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Two horns (striving for excellence)
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Red fields (martyrdom)
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Two horns (striving for excellence)
Their motto, “Non quam propius erunt,” which means None are more faithful, stands for their family’s values in philanthropy, education, and business. Their coat of arms dates back to around 1250!
One of the most iconic landmarks tied to the family's name is the Rockefeller Center in New York. The complex was named after them because their famous family name attracted tenants and businesses, helping the multi-building hub become a thriving center for art, business, and entertainment.
The Carnegies
The Carnegies, like the Vanderbilts, have a classic rags-to-riches story. Born in a small Scottish cottage, Andrew Carnegie immigrated to the U.S. in the 1840s. He started as a cotton factory worker and, over time, built a steel empire that made him one of the richest (and the most generous) men in American history.
Unlike rich families who already had family crests, Andrew Carnegie designed his own coat of arms with the help of an artist and asked him to paint it on the walls of the library in his New York Mansion. The design was personal and symbolic: a shuttle for weaving, honoring his father’s trade, and a shoemaker’s knife, representing the family’s roots in shoemaking. The shield’s supporters are the American and Scottish flags, paying tribute to his immigrant story and hometown. Carnegie chose the motto “Death to Privilege,” reflecting his deep belief in merit and work over birthright.
During the last 18 years of his life, he gave away 90% of his fortune to charities, foundations, universities, and art institutions like Carnegie Hall, which was said to be his contribution to the world, as this was a known venue for meetings, conferences, and rallies for international peace.
Final Thoughts
Coats of arms evolved from swords and scrolls to family blueprints. The next time you see a lion, acorn, or roses on a stained glass window, don’t just walk past it! You might be looking at the ancestral signature of America’s most powerful families.
Curious if there’s a coat of arms for your family? Let us help you find your real family crest.
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