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Family crests are more than decorative emblems—they’re symbolic representations of your family’s heritage, history, and values. From fierce lions to noble crosses, every element in a family crest tells a story. But what exactly is a family crest, and how do you know if your family has one?

In this guide, we’ll answer all your questions:

 

Let’s dive into the fascinating world of family crests and uncover the legacy behind your surname

What Is a Family Crest?

A family crest is a specific part of a coat of arms—a unique heraldic design traditionally used to represent noble families. The crest sits on top of the coat of arms, usually above the helmet, and often features symbolic elements like animals, weapons, or objects.

Common symbols found in family crests include:

  • Lions: courage and strength

  • Horses: readiness for duty

  • Crosses: faith and devotion

  • Arrows and chains: military service or captivity

 

To find out more about the symbolism of the heraldry, see ‘Heraldry symbols and what they mean’.

Sometimes people refer to the entire coat of arms as a ‘family crest’ but technically, the crest is just one part of the overall design. It’s often the most recognisable element and can stand alone as a simpler visual representation of the family.

This photo below shows a small selection of coats of arms with the crests clearly visible on the top. If you are interested to discover if there’s a coat of arms or family crest for your own surname, just enter the name in the search box at the top of this page.

 

 

 

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The design of the crest might include a lion, tiger, horse or cross, but there are many others. Similarly, some crests include arrows or chains. For example, a lion represents deathless courage and hence the symbol of a true warrior. Something to share with friends down the pub when they question your character!

 

 

How Can I Find My Family’s Crest?

You can discover your family crest, coat of arms, and surname history by using our free search tool.

Simply enter your surname into the search box near the top of this page and click submit. Our extensive archive includes family crests and coat of arms records from many regions, including:

  • England

  • Scotland

  • Ireland

  • Wales

  • Germany

  • Italy

  • Spain

  • Canada

  • Australia

  • United States

If we don’t have a match for your surname immediately, contact us directly—our team will manually check our archives for any variations or alternate spellings.

Family crest and coat of arms

A family crest and coat of arms reflected a person’s values, achievements

Do all families have a family crest?

No—not every family has a family crest or coat of arms. Heraldic symbols were originally granted to individuals, not entire families. That means:

  • Multiple people with the same surname might have completely different coats of arms

  • Some surnames never received a crest or arms at all

  • Crests were historically granted in Europe, so some names may not have heraldic records

However, many surnames do have existing crests—especially if your ancestors lived in regions with strong heraldic traditions.

Please use our search tool to find out if you have a family crest with your coat of arms. Our family crest archive contains a wide variety of different symbols but if your search doesn’t reveal one for your surname please contact us so we can double check for you.

 

 

What Does It Mean If Your Family Has a Crest?

A family crest represents more than just visual art—it reflects a person’s’ values, achievements, and societal roles. The imagery used in a coat of arms often signified:

  • Military service or noble lineage

  • Personal virtues like courage, faith, or wisdom

  • Family achievements, professions, or allegiances

Owning or displaying your family crest can be a meaningful way to honour your name’s ancestry and share your story with future generations.

Coat of Arms vs. Family Crest: What’s the Difference?

Many people use ‘coat of arms’ and ‘family crest’ interchangeably—but they’re not quite the same:

  • Coat of Arms: The full heraldic design, including the shield, helmet, motto, supporters, and crest

  • Family Crest: The symbolic element that sits at the top of the coat of arms, often mounted on a helmet. Why not check out our free online dictionary, which tells you what the various symbols mean.

So while all family crests are part of a coat of arms, not all references to coats of arms should be called a ‘family crest’.

What Do the Colours on a Family Crest Mean?

The colours, or ‘tinctures’, used in a family crest also carry symbolic meaning. The colours within a design were intended to be visible from far away and highly recognisable and this informed which colours went together. Because of this, simple background colours like red, blue, green, black, and purple go with metal colours, yellow for gold and white for silver.

Colours had meanings for each family:

Here’s a quick breakdown:

 

Colour Meaning
Gold (Or) Generosity, elevation of the mind
Silver/White (Argent) Peace, sincerity
Red (Gules) Courage, strength, military might
Blue (Azure) Loyalty, truth
Green (Vert) Hope, joy, loyalty in love
Black (Sable) Constancy, resilience
Purple Royalty, justice, sovereignty
Orange Ambition, drive
Maroon Victory through perseverance

 

Some crests also feature fur patterns, such as:

  • Ermine (black spots on white): dignity and nobility

  • Vair (blue and white alternating): historical fur used by nobility

Understanding these colours and patterns gives deeper insight into your family name’s values and legacy.

Start your journey into heraldry today. Use our free search tool to uncover the symbols and stories behind your family name. You might even find the perfect gift featuring the heraldry!

👉 Click here to choose your family crest gift→

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