Many Americans wonder if they can have a family crest, which is a symbolic design that represents a family or surname. Family crests are often associated with European nobility, so some Americans believe they are reserved only for people of European descent. However, Americans of any heritage can design and adopt a family crest to represent their family identity.
What is a family crest?
A family crest, sometimes called a coat of arms, is a design consisting of images and symbols that represent the history, values, and identity of a family. Heraldry, the practice of designing crests, began in medieval Europe as a way for knights and nobles to identify themselves in armor. The symbols and colors used in a crest were chosen to reflect the family’s reputation and achievements.
While family crests originated as a way for elite families to signify their status, over time they became available to non-noble families as well. Today, family crests are used by families from all backgrounds as a way to celebrate their shared history and values.
Common elements of family crests
Though every family crest is unique, they often contain some combination of the following elements:
- A shield or escutcheon, which forms the background and main focus of the crest
- A helm or helmet, originally included for noble families to denote rank
- A crest, an image such as an animal or object on top of the helmet
- Supporters, figures that flank the shield, such as animals or human figures
- A motto, usually placed on a scroll under the shield
- Colors and patterns with symbolic meaning for that family
Can Americans legally use a family crest?
In Europe, the use of family crests was strictly regulated to prevent improper use. There were laws governing who could use coats of arms, and usurping another family’s crest was illegal. However, in the United States, there are no heraldic authorities that regulate the use of family crests. This means that Americans can legally adopt any family crest they like, even those associated with European noble families.
The lack of regulation gives Americans creative freedom in designing family crests, but also leads to frequent misuse. For this reason, many Americans prefer crests that are newly designed to represent their family instead of appropriating existing European crests.
How to design an American family crest
While European crests follow complex rules of heraldry, Americans can take any creative approach to designing a family crest. Here are some tips:
- Research your family history and choose symbols that reflect your heritage, values, and accomplishments.
- Incorporate your family name or initials.
- Use meaningful colors and designs, or replicate family heirlooms.
- Consider including cultural symbols if your family has immigrant roots.
- Add a motto representing your family’s principles.
- Focus the crest around a shield or circle shape.
- Keep it simple and bold so the design is easy to replicate.
Online crest creation tools let you easily generate crest designs using your inputs. You can also work with a graphic designer to create a custom crest.
How Americans use family crests
American families use newly created or ancestral crests as a symbol of legacy, identity and kinship. Family crests may be displayed:
- On certificates, invitations, banners, at family reunions and weddings.
- Inscribed on rings, cufflinks, clothing or other personal items.
- Printed on family documents or stationery.
- Displayed on wall plaques in the home.
- Shared on family websites and social media profiles.
Crests are commonly used to celebrate major family milestones like marriages, births, and anniversaries.
Famous American family crests
Though less prevalent than in Europe, some noteworthy American families do use historical or newly designed crests, including:
| Family | Crest |
|---|---|
| Rockefeller | A gold ducal coronet with red peaked cap on a blue and gold shield |
| Vanderbilt | A wheel with wings and the motto “Decus et Tutamen” (“An ornament and a safeguard”) |
| DuPont | A blue shield with gold bands and symbols |
| Bush | A red, white, and blue shield with stripes containing stars and an eagle |
Can I use my European family’s crest?
Americans with European ancestry are sometimes tempted to adopt their family’s traditional European crest. However, ethical issues can arise from using another family’s identifying crest without permission or a clear genealogical connection. Additionally, European crests may have meanings or connotations unfamiliar to American descendants.
Experts recommend using elements or inspiration from ancestral crests to design a new version that represents what the family crest means to you as an American descendant. This helps preserve the spirit of the crest while giving it new meaning relevant to your American family story.
Should my American family have a crest?
While family crests are optional for Americans, they can hold special significance as a way to celebrate lineage and identity. Adopting a shared symbol can strengthen family unity and pride across generations. The process of designing a family crest can also be an insightful way to reflect on your family’s character and what you want the family to represent.
If having a visual emblem to display your family traits and connections appeals to you, creating a family crest can be a meaningful endeavor regardless of your heritage or ancestry.
Conclusion
Americans are free to adopt or design a family crest regardless of ancestry or nobility. While European crests are bound by heraldic rules, Americans have creative liberty in developing family crests that represent their values and story. Family crests can be a powerful symbol of the shared bonds and background that define a family across generations.
