If you’re just beginning your genealogy research, it’s so easy to get tripped up by common pitfalls.
One moment you’re following a promising lead, and the next, you’ve proudly hung up a family crest that belongs to a completely different family line (oops!).
Researching your family crest can be tricky, especially if you’ve never tried it before. But it’s actually easy once you know how to trace your family tree, as it can be a helpful tool when you’re digging into your family history. You might come across your family crest along the way!
It’s like treasure hunting. You might discover family heirlooms and documents that have your family crest engraved or painted on them.
But before you go framing that crest and showing it off, here are 5 common mistakes to avoid when researching your family crest. Taking these few extra steps will help you make sure your coat of arms is actually yours!
Avoid these Common Family Crest Mistakes
1. Assuming All People with the Same Last Name Share a Common Ancestor
Many individuals with common last names like Smith, Jones, Brown, and Williams aren’t always related. They might not even share a common ancestor.
If you’re off to do some quick and fun research to know whether you’re related to a famous historical figure with a cool family crest, simply sharing a common last name doesn’t mean you’re necessarily related (unfortunately).
In some instances, some people think they have a claim to a family fortune, like land and other assets, because they share a last name with a very rich family. Imagine the possibilities! While this might not always be the case (hopefully it is!) it’s still exciting to dive into your family’s history and uncover hidden gems in your ancestry.
2. Using Online Databases Without Verifying Sources
Websites like WikiTree, TribalPages, and Geni can give you information about your ancestors. They might not directly lead you to your family coat of arms, but they can help you learn and trace your lineage, such as where your ancestors migrated or which ones served in the army.
But you need to do your due diligence and look for verified sources to make sure your research stays genuine.
One way to do that is to extend your research beyond the web! Try looking for physical documents in your and your relatives’ homes. Oral family history can also be very valuable to cross-reference with the information you found online - so start chatting to your oldest family members.
3. Ignoring Heraldic Registers
Genealogy beginners often overlook regional heraldic registers. These registers provide valuable information to anyone finding their coat of arms. Instead, they just go straight to the internet and click the first link they find.
If you know where your ancestors originated, checking regional heraldic registers is a great place to start, as these registers offer more specific and accurate records.
4. Not Recognizing that Family Crests Can Change Over Time
Did you know that family crest designs may have evolved over time? The symbols may have been added or modified due to marriages, new titles, and even artistic trends. For example, as heraldry evolved, what started as a simple lion grew to include mythical creatures like griffins as heraldic charges.
So, the design doesn’t exactly stay the same through the centuries. Consider this when searching for your family crest!
5. Focusing Only on the Crest and Ignoring the Full Coat of Arms
A family crest is a significant part of a coat of arms - its the part that shows above the helmet. While not all designs have one, about one third of arms recorded do have a crest symbol. The coat of arms actually includes everything you see on and around the shield— the crest, the motto (the “Live, Laugh, Love” of medieval times), and supporters (the symbols on either side of the shield). Many beginners will focus on the crest but ignore other important elements in the full coat of arms.
This focus is understandable. The family crest has always been the main way to identify knights during battle, as it is placed atop the helmets during medieval battles and tourneys.
But including the full coat of arms in your search will give you a more rounded context of your family history. Each element in the arms represents a significant trait or value of your family. For example, supporters show that the arms were once borne by a knight or linked to a specific region.
These details seem small, but they can actually help you better understand how your family’s story fits into a broader historical context in your genealogy research.
Get It Right
Now that you’ve learned about the common mistakes, you’re probably wondering, “So, what’s the best way to find my family crest?”
If you absolutely have no idea where to start, building a family tree can lay the groundwork for finding your family crest or coat of arms. There is simply no shortcut to it!
A step-by-step research entails digging into:
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family records
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online databases
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national archives
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official heraldic registers
These can help you pin down your family lineage.
Can’t find your family crest?
If you still can’t find your family crest even after digging for countless hours, don’t worry! There are other ways to uncover your heritage. One option to find your family crest is to work with professional genealogists who can do the digging for you.
They have access to verified heraldic records, making sure your family crest is backed by real history without you bending your back, sifting through tons of websites and documents.
It is possible that there is no family crest linked to your name. But this doesn’t mean you’ve hit a wall in your research. You can still use the data you compiled. Those unique family stories you’ve heard about from your ancestors and your family values can be used as inspiration to make your own family crest, especially if it’s just for a fun personal project of discovering your roots!
Moving Forward
Finding your coat of arms can be a fulfilling journey, but it is important to avoid the mistakes mentioned in this article to make sure you’re finding the right one.
Remember, don’t be disheartened if you come up empty-handed! You might just be the one to start a new tradition.
As long as you’re wise with where you get your information and make sure you double-check your sources, you’re one step closer to discovering (or creating) a crest that proudly tells your family’s story.