You've probably seen them on dusty rings or those weirdly specific T-shirts at airport gift shops. A shield, a lion, maybe some Latin text that nobody can actually translate without Google. It looks cool. But honestly, most people who decide to make a family crest today are just picking random clip art because it feels "royal." That’s a missed opportunity. Real heraldry isn’t about pretending you’re a lost Duke from the 14th century; it’s about visual storytelling. It’s a graphic ID card for your DNA.
History is messy. Back in the day, if you lived in England or Scotland, you couldn't just doodle a shield and call it a day. You had to go through the College of Arms or the Court of the Lord Lyon. They had—and still have—very strict rules about who gets to wear what. If you didn't have the legal right to a coat of arms, using one was basically the medieval version of identity theft. Today, unless you’re trying to get officially recognized by a European monarchy, you have a lot more creative freedom. But that freedom usually leads to some pretty tacky design choices.
If you're going to do this, do it right. Don't just slap a generic wolf on a blue background.
The Difference Between a Crest and a Coat of Arms
Let’s get the terminology straight because this is where everyone trips up. Most people say "family crest" when they actually mean a "coat of arms."
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The crest is specifically the 3D-looking object that sits on top of the helmet in a full heraldic display. Think of it like the hood ornament on a car. The coat of arms is the whole kit and caboodle—the shield, the supporters (the animals on the sides), the motto, and the helmet. If you tell a heraldry nerd you want to make a family crest, they’ll probably correct you. It’s annoying, but they’re technically right.
For our purposes, we’re talking about the whole visual package. The shield is the heart of it. It’s where the real action happens. In the Middle Ages, this was functional. You’re in a suit of metal, nobody can see your face, and your friends need to know not to stab you. The symbols had to be high-contrast and easy to read from a distance. That’s why classic heraldry uses a very limited palette.
Picking Your Colors Without Making It Ugly
Heraldry has a specific language for colors called "tinctures." You’ve got your metals (Or for gold/yellow and Argent for silver/white) and your colors (Gules for red, Azure for blue, Sable for black, Vert for green, and Purpure for purple).
There’s a rule called the Rule of Tincture. It’s pretty simple: don’t put a color on a color, and don’t put a metal on a metal.
Why? Contrast.
If you put a dark blue lion on a black shield, nobody can see it. But a silver lion on a black shield? That pops. When you start to make a family crest, stick to this. It makes the final product look professional instead of like a DIY basement project.
- Gold (Or): Represents generosity or elevation of mind.
- Silver (Argent): Peace and sincerity.
- Red (Gules): Warrior spirit or sacrifice.
- Blue (Azure): Loyalty and truth.
- Black (Sable): Constancy or sometimes grief.
Don't feel restricted by these "traditional" meanings, though. If your family has a deep connection to the ocean, use blue because of the water, not because some guy in 1620 said it meant "loyalty."
Choosing Symbols That Aren't Cliches
This is where things get fun. Most people go straight for the lion or the eagle. Sure, they look fierce. But are they you?
If your family is full of teachers, maybe an open book or a quill makes more sense. If you come from a long line of carpenters, a set of compasses or a specific type of tree would be way more authentic. To make a family crest that feels real, you have to dig into your actual history.
I once saw a modern coat of arms for a software engineer that used a "patterned field" resembling a circuit board. It sounds cheesy, but it was executed with traditional heraldic lines, so it actually looked dignified.
Common Symbols and Their (Traditional) Vibes
- The Lion: Bravery and royalty. It’s the "default" for a reason.
- The Bear: Protection. Think "mama bear" but with more armor.
- The Pelican: Self-sacrifice. In old lore, it was believed pelicans fed their young with their own blood. Dark, right?
- The Anchor: Hope or a maritime history.
- The Bee: Hard work and industry. This was huge during the Industrial Revolution in places like Manchester.
The Layout: Charges and Ordinaries
The "ordinaries" are the big geometric shapes that divide the shield. A big "X" (a Saltire), a chevron, or a vertical stripe (a Pale). These give the shield structure.
If you just scatter icons all over the place, it looks like a sticker book. Use a chevron to divide the shield into sections. Put your main symbol—the "charge"—in the center or in the largest section. Keep it balanced. Symmetry is your friend here.
Think about the "Chief," which is the top third of the shield. It’s a position of honor. If there’s one specific thing that defines your family’s legacy, that’s where it goes.
Writing a Motto That Doesn't Sound Like a Hallmark Card
Most mottos are in Latin. Why? Because Latin sounds fancy and old. But you can use any language.
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The best mottos are short. Punchy. Three words is usually the sweet spot. Fortis et Liber (Strong and Free). Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful).
When you make a family crest, the motto should be the "vibe check." If your family is known for being stubborn, embrace it. "Never Back Down" is a perfectly valid motto. If you’re a family of jokesters, maybe something a bit more lighthearted. Just remember you’re going to have to live with this on your wall for a long time.
Digital Tools vs. Hand-Drawn
You don't need to be an artist to do this. There are plenty of online generators, but honestly, most of them produce pretty low-quality results that look like 1990s clip art.
If you have some design chops, use a vector program like Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape. Vectors allow you to scale the design from a tiny signet ring to a massive wall hanging without losing quality.
For those who aren't tech-savvy, hiring a heraldic artist (an "illuminator") is the gold standard. Sites like the International Association of Amateur Heraldists have galleries where you can find inspiration or professionals who understand the "grammar" of heraldry. They’ll make sure your proportions aren't wonky.
Legal Stuff (The "Can I Actually Do This?" Question)
In the United States, there is no "Heraldry Police." You can design whatever you want, put it on a flag, and fly it in your front yard. It’s protected under free speech.
However, in the UK, it’s different. If you want a legally granted coat of arms in England, you have to petition the College of Arms. It costs thousands of dollars and involves a lot of paperwork. Scotland is even stricter—the Lord Lyon King of Arms actually has the power to fine people for using "unregistered" arms.
If you're just doing this for your own personal use, for a family reunion, or a personal website, don't sweat the legalities too much. Just don't try to pass yourself off as the Earl of Essex if you're actually from Ohio.
Making It Last
A family crest is only cool if people actually see it.
Once you make a family crest, think about how to integrate it into your life. A custom embosser for stationery is a classier move than a giant tattoo (though people do that too). Some people get it engraved on a signet ring. That’s a classic move, but make sure the design is simple enough to be legible when it's only half an inch wide.
Another popular option is a custom-carved wooden shield for a library or office. It adds a sense of permanence. It tells people that you care about where you came from and where you're going.
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Practical Steps to Start Today
Don't overthink the first draft.
Start by grabbing a piece of paper and drawing a basic shield shape. Divide it into four quarters.
- Quarter 1: Something representing your heritage (a specific flower or animal from your ancestral home).
- Quarter 2: Something representing your profession or passion.
- Quarter 3: A symbol of a value you hold dear (justice, humor, resilience).
- Quarter 4: A "wildcard" that just looks cool or represents a family inside joke.
Look at that sketch. Is it too busy? It probably is. Now, try to combine those four ideas into one or two symbols. Maybe the lion is holding the carpenter’s tool. Maybe the anchor is wrapped in the family’s favorite flower.
Simplification is the key to good design. The best coats of arms from history are the simplest ones. A single red stripe on a gold background. A white hawk on a blue field.
Once you have a sketch you like, decide on your tinctures. Apply the Rule of Tincture—metals on colors, colors on metals. If it looks good in black and white, it’ll look great in color.
The final step is the "blazon." This is the written description of the arms using heraldic language. It sounds like a magic spell. "Azure, a fess Argent between three lions rampant Or." Writing your blazon is the final "stamp" on your creation. It turns a drawing into a formal piece of heraldry.
Check out the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) or local genealogical societies if you get stuck. They have people who live for this stuff and can help you avoid the common pitfalls of modern "bucket shop" heraldry—those companies that sell you a "family crest" based solely on your last name. (Spoiler: those are almost always fake or belong to a completely different family you aren't related to). Create your own. It’s more honest, and it’ll mean a lot more to the people who come after you.
Next Steps for Your Project:
- Audit your family history: Talk to your oldest living relatives. Find one specific object, story, or trait that consistently pops up. That is your primary "charge."
- Sketch three variations: One complex, one mid-range, and one ultra-simple.
- Test for scalability: Shrink your favorite design down to the size of a postage stamp. If you can't tell what it is, simplify the shapes further.
- Finalize the Blazon: Write down the formal description so the design can be recreated by any artist in the future without losing its original meaning.