What is Heraldry
If you’ve ever watched medieval-inspired films like Braveheart, Excalibur, or Game of Thrones, you’ve likely seen knights on horses, riding into battle with shields adorned with striking colors and strong symbols.
These shields feature the knights’ heraldry symbols - powerful icons that tell stories of their history, values, and achievements.
The Origins of Heraldry
Heraldry, in its very essence, is about showing people who you are through symbols and colors.
It is a system of describing and regulating symbols that are passed down through generations and was used for identification among knights in the medieval period. It also considered achievements and any honor awarded by a ruling monarch. Eventually, they became part of civilian life as symbols of nobility and familial identity.
Knights painted their surcoats (long coats they wear over their armor) with combinations of colors, shapes, and animals on their armor to represent their identity during battle, with a ruling monarch approving this design. This eventually coined the term coats of arms.
Why Heraldry Matters
Heraldry isn’t just a relic from a bygone age. It evolves and changes with time, incorporating newer images, even mythical ones! Still, it remains relevant to this day by serving as a meaningful expression of family identity and heritage.
Family Crest vs Coats of Arms: What’s the difference
Both family crests and coats of arms are important parts of the heraldic system. They are also called heraldic devices.
A family crest is part of the design of the coat of arms, which also includes the shield, helm, supporters, mantle, and motto. On the other hand, the coat of arms is the symbol worn on shields and surcoats in bold colors as a way to maintain clarity, distinguishing friends from foes on the battlefield.
Over time, the terms “family crest” and “coat of arms” have been used interchangeably because of their significance as an insignia.
Still, it’s important to know that the crest is literally at the crest of the design, that is to say, it is located at the very top. In the design here for the example coat of arms, the crest is the spear symbols above the helmet. In modern times however, 'coat of arms' and 'family crest' are generally acceptable terms to use interchangeably in casual context - but its nice to know what each really means.
Designing Heraldry
Designing a family crest is a delicate process of choosing elements that follow certain guidelines for heraldic design, which can vary significantly by country. This is governed by heraldic authorities like the College of Arms.
For example, certain animals may be used to symbolize qualities like strength and wisdom, while certain colors may symbolize loyalty or bravery. Every small detail in a family crest or coat of arms holds meaning that embodies the individual or family it was originally granted to.
Nowadays, people can make their own variation of a crest or coat of arms for personal projects.
If you're looking to go a step further and find an existing family crest for your name, you can let our heraldic experts research ancient armory records and recreate the original design documented so that every element of your heraldic devices follows these guidelines!
How is Heraldry Passed Down
According to the American Heraldry Society, family crests originally followed the male lineage in most early heraldic traditions.
So, to inherit a family crest, you could try tracing your lineage back to your father's crest and then to his grandfather and go back as far in your tree as you like.
The oldest known example of a coat of arms being passed down goes way back to 1127 A. D., about 900 years ago, when King Henry I of England passed down a coat of arms on a shield to his son-in-law Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou.
How to Research Your Family’s Heraldry
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Research your family history
Combing through your genealogy records can be a great starting point to finding your family crest or coat of arms. Online databases like Ancestry and FamilySearch are both great tools to help you discover variations of your family name that may have been tied to a coat of arms.
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Look for regional or national crests
This is especially helpful for people with common family names. You can check local libraries and official heraldic registers.
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Create your own family crest
If you can’t trace your family crest, creating your own can be a fun and personal way to connect with your heritage by exploring symbols that represent your family values!
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Consult with family crest experts
If you’re unsure how to go about the research and design, our team of crest experts can verify your heraldic records and even design a family crest for you.
Moving Forward With Heraldry
Heraldry may sound like a complicated subject at first, but once you learn the basics, it can be a meaningful way to connect with your family story.
Learning more about your ancestors’ stories and taking proactive ways to celebrate them keeps the vibrant tradition of heraldry alive.