Looking up your family crest can provide a fascinating glimpse into your ancestors’ origins and history. Family crests, also known as coats of arms, were historically used to identify noble families and have become treasured symbols passed down through generations. While once reserved for the elite, researching and displaying family crests is now accessible for many people interested in exploring their lineage.
Where to Begin Your Search
The first step in looking up your family crest is tracing your ancestry back to find the oldest known members on both your mother’s and father’s sides. Resources like ancestry databases, genealogy libraries, and archives can help you build a family tree and identify the origins of your surname. Once you know where your family came from, you can investigate whether a coat of arms existed for ancestors of nobility or landed gentry in that region.
Some helpful tips for building your family tree:
- Talk to older relatives about your family history.
- Search census records, birth/marriage/death certificates, obituaries, and ship passenger lists.
- Use international records if your family immigrated to another country.
- Join ancestry websites like Ancestry.com and GenealogyBank.com to utilize their databases.
- Hire a professional genealogist for specialized research assistance.
By tracing back as many generations as possible, you increase your chances of connecting with an ancestor who had a documented coat of arms.
Where to Find Family Crests
Once you know your family history, there are several methods for looking up existing coats of arms or determining if one may have existed for your ancestors:
- Heraldry societies – Contact national or regional heraldry societies for assistance, such as the College of Arms in London or the New England Historic Genealogical Society.
- Published armorials – Search published compilations of coats of arms like Burke’s General Armory to match your surname.
- Local records – Check town archives, church records, wills, portraits, and tombstones for evidence of family crests.
- Government archives – Search national archives in the countries and regions your ancestors lived for heraldic records.
- Genealogy libraries – Utilize specialty genealogy libraries for access to extensive records and databases related to heraldry.
Depending on your family history, you may find an exact match for your surname’s coat of arms, a variation of it, or no evidence that one existed. With an uncommon surname, connecting with a specific coat of arms is more likely.
Interpreting Family Crest Elements
Once you locate a coat of arms associated with your surname, analyzing the symbols can provide insight into your family history.
Typical elements include:
- Shield shape – Indicates occupations or origins like a blacksmith’s anvil.
- Charges – Heraldic beasts like lions or creatures from folklore.
- Ordinaries – Geometric lines and shapes like crosses or chevrons.
- Tinctures – Colors like gules (red) or azure (blue).
- Helm/Crest – Adornments like a dragon or plume atop the shield.
- Supporters – Creatures or figures flanking the shield.
- Motto – A short phrase representing the family’s values.
Studying the meaning behind each element provides context about the family’s history, location, occupation, alliances, and personality. Specialized resources can help you analyze the symbolism in your family’s coat of arms.
Authenticating a Family Crest
Since legitimate family crests are associated with nobility and gentry, successfully tracing a direct ancestral connection is the main way to authenticate it. Heraldry societies carefully document proven and accepted coats of arms, so consulting their records provides verification.
Factors determining authenticity include:
- Linking it to a specific ancestor of nobility/gentry.
- Matching the surname spelling and heraldic symbols.
- Locating it in reputable public heraldic records.
- Evidence of longstanding family use and acceptance.
- Registration with an official heraldry society.
Even with an authenticated coat of arms, some variations in elements like tinctures or crests may exist in different branches of a family. Documented use of the core design elements provides validity.
Displaying Family Crests
If you confirm a coat of arms belonging to your ancestors, there are many options for proudly displaying these heraldic symbols.
Display methods include:
- Framing an original or reproduced image of the coat of arms.
- Incorporating it into jewelry, cufflinks, signet rings, or embroidery on clothing.
- Using it in a decorative motif for glass/china, furniture, or architecture.
- Adding it to holiday cards, stationery, linens, wall hangings, or flags.
- Engraving it on urns, trophies, books, or family trees.
- Incorporating it into a family website, logo, or social media profile.
Even without a direct ancestral connection, heraldic-inspired art can be created and displayed to represent your family’s origins. Authentic coats of arms are traditionally passed down to the eldest son, but other family members may apply to heraldry societies for variations.
Adopting New Family Crests
If you are unable to verify a coat of arms for your surname, it is possible to research common symbols from your ancestors’ origins and create a new one. Heraldry societies generally frown on inventing fake “family crests” without genealogical basis.
However, some organizations like the American College of Heraldry will work with individuals to design and officially register new coats of arms. Their experts follow traditional heraldic rules to incorporate symbols relevant to your family heritage.
Tips for adopting a new coat of arms:
- Work with experts in proper heraldic design.
- Choose symbols representing your surname, ancestry, values, or achievements.
- Incorporate meaningful colors and motifs.
- Keep the design simple and bold.
- Register your finished coat of arms with an official heraldry society.
With some creativity and knowledge of your roots, you can adopt an honorary coat of arms to connect with your lineage.
Conclusion
Researching your genealogy and connecting with a family crest provides a rewarding way to celebrate your roots. Approach the process systematically by tracing your ancestry, searching heraldic records, evaluating authenticity, and properly displaying the crest. Heraldry can strengthen your sense of family identity and preserve a symbolic legacy for future generations.
| Step | Key Actions |
|---|---|
| Research ancestry | Talk to relatives, use databases and records to build family tree, identify oldest known ancestors |
| Find crests | Check heraldry societies, published armorials, local/government archives and libraries |
| Interpret meaning | Study the symbolism and history behind the shield, colors, figures, motto |
| Authenticate | Confirm direct noble/gentry ancestor, match surname spellings, verify in reputable records |
| Display crest | Frame image, incorporate into jewelry/clothing/decor, engrave on items, use in branding |
| Adopt new crest | Work with heraldry experts on design, reflect family origins/values, register with society |
