A family crest is a symbol that represents a family’s history, values, and pedigree. Family crests date back to the Middle Ages in Europe, where they served as identifying marks for noble families. While less common today, family crests can still be designed and used to celebrate a family’s unique story. Creating your own family crest is a fun way to explore your ancestry and bring your relatives together. Follow the steps below to learn how to make a family coat of arms for your family.
Research Your Family History
The first step in creating a family crest is to do some genealogy research about your family history. Look back through old documents and photos to learn about your family origins, mottoes, nicknames, accomplishments, immigration stories, traditions, values, and more. Talk to your older relatives to get their input on meaningful symbols and information to include. The more you learn about your family background, the more meaningful you can make the imagery and symbolism in your crest.
Some key facts to research include:
- Surname origins and meaning
- Locations your family lived
- Countries of ancestry
- Notable ancestors
- Military service
- Professions and trades
- Religious affiliations
- Mottoes or sayings
- Awards and accomplishments
Gather as many details as you can to work into your crest design. Make notes of any recurring themes, colors, animals, symbols, or values that represent your family’s story.
Decide on a Crest Shape and Elements
Once you have thoroughly researched your family background, you can start deciding how to visually represent it in a crest. While there are no strict rules, most family crests contain some combination of the following elements:
Shield or shape
This is the background shape, often a shield, circle, or crest outline, that contains the image. Common shapes include the traditional shield, circle, oval, diamond, and banner.
Charge
The charge is the main visual focus, usually an animal or object, centered on the shield. Common charges include lions, eagles, crosses, trees, towers, anchors, and crowns. Pick something meaningful from your family history.
Supporters
Supporters are figures that flank either side of the shield, such as animals or human figures holding up the crest. Common supporters include lions, horses, bears, deer, dogs, and knights.
Compartment
The compartment is what the crest stands on, such as a grassy mount, wreath, ribbon, or scroll.
Motto
A motto is a short phrase with significance to the family. It is usually placed on a banner underneath the shield.
Mantling
Stylized cloth draped around the top and sides of the shield for decoration.
Crest/Helm
A figurine that sits atop the shield, usually relating to the charge. Could be an animal, helmet, wreath, or crown.
Tinctures
Tinctures refer to the colors used, depicted by heraldic hatching patterns. Common tinctures are red, blue, black, green and purple.
| Tincture | Hatching | Color Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Or | Gold or yellow dots | Generosity |
| Argent | Silver or white | Peace and sincerity |
| Gules | Red vertical lines | Military strength and magnanimity |
| Azure | Blue horizontal lines | Loyalty and truth |
| Vert | Green diagonal lines | Hope, joy, and loyalty in love |
| Purpure | Purple diagonal lines | Royal majesty, sovereignty, and justice |
| Sable | Black vertical and horizontal lines | Constancy and grief |
When selecting tinctures, colors that were popular in the country your family originated from are a good choice. Gold and silver tend to be used for highlights.
Create a Rough Sketch
Once you know the elements you want to include, make a rough pencil sketch of your family crest. Don’t worry about perfecting the drawing yet. Focus on laying out the basic shield shape and positioning of the charge, supporters, motto, etc. Make sure the composition is balanced and the most important elements are emphasized. The sketch gives you something to build off of as you perfect the final version.
Make a Digital Version
There are several options for creating a polished digital crest from your sketch:
- Use graphic design software like Illustrator or Photoshop to recreate your sketch digitally.
- Hire a freelance graphic designer to illustrate it.
- Use a family crest maker website that lets you select elements and generates the art.
Digital versions allow more intricate detailing and the ability to flexibly output your crest in many formats. The digital file also makes printing and sharing your family crest much easier.
Add a Frame or Border
Once your crest illustration is complete, consider adding a frame or border around it for a more finished, professional look. Common border embellishments for family crests include:
- Floral vines and leaves
- Laurel wreath
- Heraldic mantling
- Scrollwork
- Geometric shapes
- Family name
- Established date
A frame adds an extra decorative touch and neatly contains the central elements. And it provides another opportunity to work in symbolic elements representing your family.
Make It Official With a Blazon
In traditional heraldry, a blazon is a written description of the crest that uses technical phrasing and terminology. While not essential, crafting an official blazon gives your family crest more authenticity. Blazons follow standard conventions like:
Argent, a lion rampant gules, on a chief sable three mullets of the field, a bordure azure charged with three fleurs-de-lis or.
Which describes a crest with a silver shield, red rampant lion, black chief with three silver stars, and blue border with three gold fleur-de-lis.
If you want your crest to adhere to traditional heraldic rules, research how to write a proper blazon. But for informal family crests, you can write any descriptive passage summing up the symbolism.
Output Your Family Crest
One you have your family coat of arms looking sharp in digital format, it’s time to start using it! Output and display your crest with pride using these ideas:
- Print on canvas or framed prints for your home
- Add to your letterhead, invoices, or business cards
- Engrave or emboss on jewelry, glassware, or accessories
- Print on t-shirts, hats, or other apparel for family reunions
- Use as a watermark or logo for a family website
- Print stickers to seal letters or label family property
- Add to greeting cards for a personalized touch
- Incorporate into a family tree chart or genealogy display
- Print as a poster or wall art for kids’ rooms
- Add to baked goods like cakes and cookies for a special event
Display your family crest prominently so everyone can appreciate the symbolic meaning behind it.
Hold a Family Crest Unveiling Party
Bring your relatives together for a fun event to showcase your new family crest. Some ideas:
- Have a toast and presentation at a family reunion or holiday
- Mail printed copies as gifts to surprise everyone
- Frame a printed crest for each family to take home
- Ask relatives to guess the meaning behind each symbol
- Tell the story of your family history and how it relates to the crest
- Take a group photo of everyone posing with the crest
The crest unveiling gives your family a chance to celebrate their history and appreciate the work you put into the meaningful project. Displaying it proudly will keep your family’s heritage alive for generations to come.
Conclusion
Creating and displaying a family crest is a rewarding way to explore your roots, bring loved ones together, and commemorate your family’s unique story. With some key familial research, thoughtful design, and meaningful personal touches, you can craft a special family crest to proudly share for years to come. It makes for a great heritage project to involve relatives young and old alike. So gather your family details, brainstorm some special symbols, and start designing your own coat of arms today!