Leslie Massey
Family crests, also known as coats of arms, are important symbols that were popular from the 11th to the 17th centuries. They are often used to recognise family achievements and heritage, with each design element holding a specific meaning. While not all families have a crest, they are a fascinating part of a family's history, present, and future. To find your family crest in Australia, you can start by searching online databases such as 4crests, House of Names, All Family Crests, Heraldrynames.com.au, Surname Crest, and The National Library of Australia eResources. These websites allow you to search by your last name or surname to find matching crests and coats of arms. Additionally, you can explore graveyards and cemeteries, or create your own family crest to unify your family.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Family Crests Popularity | 11th to 17th centuries |
| Family Crests Symbolise | Family history, present, and future |
| Family Crests Position | Top of the coat of arms |
| Common Family Crests Include | Lions, crosses, tigers, horses, unicorns, monsters |
| Family Crests with Coat of Arms | Interchangeable terms |
| Family Crests with Ancestry | Ancestral links are rare |
| Family Crests with Heraldry | Used to differentiate knights in tournaments |
| Family Crests with Names | Names with spelling variations may not have a crest |
| Family Crests with Heritage | Used to display heritage and achievements |
| Family Crests with Colours | Background colours like red, blue, green, black, and purple with metal colours gold and silver |
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![Royal Book of Crests of Great Britain & Ireland, Dominion of Canada, India & Australia, Derived from Best Authorities, and Family Records. 1883 Volume 2 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617DLHXyzlL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Royal Book of Crests of Great Britain & Ireland, Dominion of Canada, India & Australia, Derived from Best Authorities, and Family Records. 1883 Volume 1 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61FbOFgXaEL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Search by surname
Family crests and coats of arms are symbols that were used to identify families or individuals. They were commonly used from the 11th to the 17th centuries and were often used to differentiate knights in tournaments. They were also used to recognise achievements and family heritage. The design can provide insight into your family’s legacy.
If you are searching for your family crest by surname, you can try the following:
- Search for coats of arms associated with your last name using 4crests, House of Names, All Family Crests, or other resources. If you find one, trace your family tree to find out if you can find a link or reference to the coat of arms.
- Try different spellings of your surname. Your ancestors may have changed the spelling of your surname over time, so it is worth trying variations of your surname.
- Try searching by the first letter of your surname. Many names have multiple spellings, so exploring by letter may yield better results.
- If you can figure out where your surname came from, your findings will be more exact and particular. You may look for any heraldic symbols related to your name after you’ve determined where it came from.
- Graveyards and cemeteries are good places to start.
- The National Library of Australia eResources: It has 180 online family history databases. Registration with the National Library of Australia is required to access this collection. Applicants must be Australian citizens to register for a free card.
- MyAncestors.com.au: Australian ancestry and family history data may be found in this link library, which is open source and free to use.
It is important to note that family crests and coats of arms are rare, and most commonly, only nobility or high-class families in medieval Europe had them because they were granted by kings to recognize achievements. If you have European heritage, you may have a higher chance of finding a coat of arms or family crest associated with your surname.
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Understand the crest's origin
Family crests, also known as coats of arms, are important symbols that were popular from the 11th through the 17th centuries. They were originally granted by governing bodies and monarchs, mostly in Europe, to recognise family achievements and heritage. Over time, they became more general symbols to represent a family name or house, rather than something worn specifically on the battlefield.
The design of a family crest can give insight into your family's history and legacy. Each element, from the colours to the symbols, holds a specific meaning. For example, the most common family crest symbols are lions, crosses, tigers, and horses, but many other things can be used, such as unicorns or even monsters. The colours within a design were chosen to be visible from far away and highly recognisable. As such, simple background colours like red, blue, green, black, and purple were often combined with metal colours, yellow for gold, and white for silver.
If your family has European heritage, particularly from countries with a tradition of heraldry such as Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, and most of Europe, then you may have a coat of arms or family crest. However, they are rarer than you might think. In medieval Europe, only nobility or high-class families typically had them.
If you are interested in finding your family crest, there are several online resources available. Websites such as 4crests, House of Names, All Family Crests, and Surname Crest offer searchable databases of family crests and coats of arms. Additionally, the National Library of Australia provides access to 180 online family history databases, although registration and Australian citizenship are required. MyAncestors.com.au is another useful resource for Australian ancestry and family history data, offering thousands of important links and information to assist in tracing your ancestors.
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Identify the symbols and colours
Family crests are important symbols passed down through generations, popular from the 11th to the 17th centuries. They are often a component of a full coat of arms, usually placed at the top of the picture. The most common family crests feature lions, crosses, tigers, and horses, but many other symbols can be used, including unicorns and mythical creatures.
If you're trying to identify your family crest, it's important to note that crests were granted to individuals, not families, so multiple crests could be associated with one surname. Authentic crests have a history and documentation, often found in heraldic registries. To identify your family crest, you can start by searching your surname in historical records and heraldry databases.
The National Library of Australia eResources is a valuable resource, with over 233,000 family crests available for free. Other websites like FamilySearch.org and heraldicnames.com.au can also help you identify your family crest and understand the symbolism behind it. Additionally, graveyards and cemeteries are good places to start your search, as some gravestones display the family crest as a mark of heritage and lineage.
Once you've located your family crest, you can begin to unravel the meanings of the symbols and colours. Understanding the language of heraldry will help you interpret the crest. For example, a lion represents courage, gold denotes generosity, red means bravery, and argent (silver or white) signifies peace and sincerity. These symbols and colours collectively represent the bearer's achievements and values.
By understanding the symbolism of your family crest, you can gain insight into your family's history and connect with your ancestral roots.
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Explore your family history
Family crests are an important symbol of family history, passed down through the centuries. They were popular from the 11th to the 17th century and were originally granted by kings to recognise achievements and heritage. The design can give insight into your family's history and legacy.
If you're interested in exploring your family history and finding your family crest, there are several steps you can take:
- Understand where your crest came from: Family crests were typically granted in the 12th century by governing bodies and monarchs, mostly in Europe. If you have European heritage, particularly from countries with a tradition of heraldry (such as Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, and most of Europe), you may have a higher chance of finding an accurate family crest.
- Search for your family crest: There are several online resources that can help you search for your family crest. Websites like 4crests, House of Names, All Family Crests, Crests and Arms, Surname Crest, and Heraldicnames.com.au offer search tools where you can input your surname to find your family crest and coat of arms. These websites often have extensive databases with family crests from various countries, including Australia.
- Explore your family tree: Once you've found your family crest, it's time to explore your family tree. Trace your family's history to find out more about your ancestors and any references to the coat of arms. This can help you confirm if the crest you've found is accurate and learn more about your heritage.
- Understand the symbolism: Family crests often include symbolic elements such as heraldic symbols, animals, or colours that hold specific meanings. For example, common symbols include lions, crosses, tigers, horses, unicorns, and weapons. The colours used were chosen to be highly recognisable, with simple background colours like red, blue, green, black, and purple paired with metallic colours like gold and silver. Understanding the symbolism in your family crest can provide insights into your ancestors' achievements, status in society, and family values.
- Incorporate your findings: Consider incorporating your family crest and coat of arms into your genealogical records. This can add depth to your research and help decorate your family history. You can also order gifts featuring your family crest, such as glassware, mugs, T-shirts, jewellery, or medieval-themed prints.
- Create your own: If you are unable to find an existing family crest, you can consider creating your own. Think about your family's achievements, values, and heritage, and incorporate meaningful symbols and colours into your design. This can be a fun and insightful activity for your family, and you can still use it to unify your family and display your heritage.
Remember, not all families have a crest, and it's important to understand the distinction between a family crest and a coat of arms. The crest is usually the smaller component that sits at the top of the coat of arms. However, when the coat of arms design becomes too complex, the family crest can be used on its own.
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Create your own crest
Creating your own family crest can be a fulfilling project that gives you the opportunity to design a personal emblem that reflects your values and heritage. Here are some steps to help guide you through the process:
Determine the Purpose
First, consider the purpose of your crest. Is it for personal use or is it to represent an organisation? Understanding the purpose will help guide your design process.
Research Heraldic Symbolism
Heraldic symbols, also known as charges, have specific meanings rooted in history. Researching these symbols can help you choose elements that are meaningful and relevant to your family or organisation. For example, if you love playing badminton, you could use a shuttlecock to represent that.
Choose Your Colours
Heraldic colours, known as tinctures, also carry specific meanings. Choose colours that are significant to you or that represent the values and characteristics of your family or organisation. Keep in mind the rule of tincture, which states that a crest should not have too many colours or use colours that are difficult to distinguish from one another.
Select Your Symbols
Choose symbols that have personal significance or represent the values and characteristics of your family or organisation. Avoid using symbols just because they are trendy or popular.
Consider Your Ancestry
Think about your ancestral background. Tracing your family line can give you ideas about the traditional symbology used by your ancestors or even your ethnicity.
Create a Motto
Traditionally, a family motto is written across a scroll at the bottom of the crest. This is often the first element that people focus on when creating a family crest.
Use Online Resources
There are many online resources and programs that can help you design your crest. Some websites offer preloaded components that you can put together, while others will generate a crest based on your choices or a personality test.
Remember, a family crest is meant to represent you or your family, so feel free to let your creativity flow and design something unique and meaningful to you.
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Frequently asked questions
A family crest is an important family symbol handed down through the centuries. They were popular from the 11th through the 17th centuries and may serve as valuable reminders of a family’s history, present, and future.
There are several websites that can help you find your family crest. Some of these include:
- The National Library of Australia eResources: It has 180 online family history databases. Registration with the National Library of Australia is required to access this collection. Applicants must be Australian citizens to register for a free card.
- MyAncestors.com.au: Australian ancestry and family history data may be found in this link library, which is open-source and free to use.
- Heraldrynames.com.au: You can contact them and they will provide you with everything related to your coat of arms and family crest.
- 4crests, House of Names, All Family Crests, or other resources: If you have European heritage, you may be able to find your coat of arms or family crest using these resources.
If you cannot find your family crest, you can create your own. You can design your own coat of arms by thinking about your family’s achievements and how you can incorporate them into your design.
The term family crest can refer to the overall design. Over time, family crest became interchangeable with the coat of arms, but the distinction is still important to understand, particularly if you’re searching for your family crest. The crest sits on top of the coat of arms and can include feathers, arrows, chains, and more.
