The Shared Language of Symbols
When you think of ‘coats of arms,’ do you imagine knights fighting in the name of the king? Or nobles waltzing in fancy ballrooms? Well, heraldry is actually more than that.
As popular heraldry was in the UK for example, it is much more common throughout the world than you might think. Symbols, in general, have always been the go-to way to communicate (long before emojis!).
One thing many countries agree with is that having one can be a meaningful way to honor familial roots. More than that, it is shared by those with distant roots in the same country or region, giving a sense of pride and unity even when a family has migrated to other places.
Spread and Influence Across Europe
You might ask, “Why do coats of arms kind of look similar to each other?” That’s because the designs affect each other by ways of travel, merchants, wars, marriages, and more. Plus, they follow specific rules depending on the country.
Family Crests in the UK
Family crests in the UK are often seen on a knight’s armor and noble family properties. In England, family crests started with King Henry I. That is why many English family crests today feature his famous crest symbol, the lion. They also include crowns, swords, and roses.
The royal coat of arms is the official coat of arms of the British monarch. It shows the union of England (represented by three lions), Scotland (represented by a flory-counter-flory), and Ireland (represented by a harp).
Scottish and Irish heraldic traditions also began for military purposes but eventually evolved to become a symbol of status and nobility. The terms ‘clan’ and ‘sept’ used in Scottish and Irish heraldry are basically just another word for ‘family.’
In Scottish heraldry, wearing a crest badge is an ultimate pledge of loyalty to a clan chief, kind of like how English knights wear crests on their armor. Symbols commonly found in these crest badges are stags, thistles, and unicorns.
Clans in Ireland are also ruled by a chief. But instead of badges, Irish coats of arms are usually displayed on shields (which literally means shields used in battles). You can see these types of designs on local pub logos or even displayed on plaques in Irish homes. Irish heraldry traditionally included harps, bears, towers, and ships.
Family Crests in Continental Europe
France
French heraldry is heavily influenced by the English heraldic system, especially on the rules of tinctures (colors and shield patterns in basic terms) and how it’s passed on.
One of the most common symbols found in France is the fleur-de-lis (lily flower) on a blue field, which represents the endurance and unity of the French.
Did you know that the fleur-de-lis came to King Clovis, the first king of France, in a dream? In a time when dreams and superstitions influenced people’s decisions, symbols like the lily flower and angels were significant symbols that became part of French heraldry.
In France, coats of arms symbols are now more commonly used in civic crests than family crests. Still, you can see enduring designs like the House of Rochechouart, the oldest noble family in France, featuring the fleur-de-lis and angel as heraldic charges.
Spain
Heraldry in Spain was highly influenced by English and Portuguese heraldic systems. The use of bordure, crosses (because of their strong Catholic faith), lilies (much like in France), and chains is common. Spanish family crests also like to include symbols that honor their direct grandparents, as well as older ancestors.
Spanish family crests also like to include symbols that honor their direct grandparents, as well as older ancestors. For example, the current King of Spain, King Felipe VI, has some French roots, explaining the fleur-de-lis symbols on his coat of arms.
Italy
Coats of arms in Italy were first used for military purposes but were eventually adopted by merchant bankers.
The designs of Italian family crests depend on location. Northern Italian families complex designs, similar to German and French styles. Meanwhile, southern Italian families prefer simpler designs for their crests.
The famous House of Gucci, for example, whose founder hailed from Cremona — a city in Northern Italy. You can see the symbols used (banner, rose, and rudder) on older versions of Gucci’s company logo.
Family Crests in Russia
Coats of arms in Russia arose in the 17th century under the reign of Peter the Great. They were influenced by English heraldry but didn’t fully follow its strict rules. On the national coat of arms of Russia, you can see the famous two-headed eagle, derived from Peter’s time.
Over time, heraldic rules were adapted to family crests among noble families. Russian families use their crests to show values and ancestral history, much like how English heraldry evolved.
One of the famous noble families in Russia was the Sheremetevs. Peter the Great made Boris Sheremetev a count for fighting an uprising, which is why his coat of arms featured lions, symbolizing his courage and strength, and a scepter and crown, representing his new noble title.
Beyond the West
Heraldry also existed outside Europe. This means wherever you are on the globe, you can try to find your family crest, and something might come up! Although it may have variations in spellings and letters, it can be fun to discover global family crests. Countries like China, Japan, Israel, India, Australia, South Africa, and those in North and South America have a rich history of heraldic symbols.
Japanese families, for example, have family crests called mon. Much like European heraldry, mon or kamon was used to identify and represent families. You can see the Japanese mon on the designs of the famous luxury brand Louis Vuitton—a great example of how designs can influence one another.
Heraldry Across the Globe
People have always wanted to make sense of the world, and one way to do that is by sharing meaning through medieval symbols. Although different countries can have different representations, ultimately, coat of arms symbols help humans understand each other.
Heraldry is a global story shared by people all over the world. Exploring them can bring new meaning into how we understand values and family heritage today.
We hope this article encouraged you to find your family crest and start exploring your familial roots!