Discovering a Family Crest

There is a bit of confusion amongst the publicceremonial rather than battlefield identification, you
concerning the term "family crest." Duped byare not likely to put yourself in danger by
unscrupulous salespeople, many people believepurchasing a crest for your family Just be aware
that a particular family crest belongs to everyonethat the crest of someone who shares your last
who happens to share a surname.name is not necessarily your crest.
Additionally, the terms family crest and familyIn some cases, a family coat of arms may not
coat of arms are often used interchangeablybe in your history. Scotland and England, for
even though the two are actually very different.example, have coat of arms that belong to a
A crest is actually one portion of a larger heraldicperson rather than a family, and the coat of arms
achievement. The crest is worn atop the helmetis passed from father to son. Law determines
and can be likened to the crest of a bird.ownership of the coat of arms.
Originally, heraldry was developed due to the needIn other countries with different traditions, such as
to distinguish the participants on a field of battle.Poland, a coat of arms belonging to a family may
Heraldic symbolism became more elaborate andexist. Regardless, retail stores may not offer the
codified over the years. Modern heraldry is, ofcorrect coat of arms for your family.
course, largely ceremonial. However, modernResearching your family genealogy often involves
heraldry continues to follow the rules laid downresearching your family crest. A family crest may
during past centuries.also exist based on your line of direct descent. In
Strictly speaking, there is no such thing as aorder to create an accurate family genealogy,
family crest, at least not in the way that theyou will need to perform historical research rather
term is often used in so-called heraldry shops.than simply relying on a heraldry shop to point
Retail heraldry has become big business and someyou in the right direction.
shopkeepers are willing to say whatever isYour family genealogy should provide an accurate
necessary to make the sale.representation of the family history, and an
According to heraldic tradition, the family crestaccurate crest and coat of arms are a part of
could be passed down only from father to sonthat representation.
through a direct line of descendants.Discover more about a family crest from Mike
Each man's crest belonged to him by right andSelvon portal where a free gift awaits you. We
use by another constituted usurpation. Of course,appreciate your feedback at our Genealogy blog.
in the modern world where heraldry has become