How to Create a Modern Family Crest
You may have been interested to probe into your own genealogy and most likely, you have come across information about family crests. If you have been doing your genealogy research through the Internet, chances are you have tried looking up your surname in the many online databases with hopes of finding your bloodline's official family crest.
The Reality of Traditional Family Crests
Even if you stumble across a family crest that is supposedly connected to your surname, you cannot guarantee that the "arms" indeed belong to someone from your true lineage. Historically, coats of arms were awarded to an individual person, not to a family or a name. While you may have the same surname, it is not synonymous to you being directly related to the original bearer of said "arms."
Why Most "Family Crest" Websites Are Misleading
The Truth About Historical Crests:
- Coats of arms belonged to specific individuals, not surnames
- Rights to bear arms were inherited through legitimate male lineage
- Many people sharing a surname have no heraldic rights
- Commercial "family crest" sites often sell generic designs
Common Misconceptions:
- That everyone with a surname has an ancient crest
- That you can "buy" legitimate heraldic rights
- That modern families can't create meaningful symbols
- That only ancient nobility had the right to family symbols
Tracing your history and trying to identify your rightful family crest can be very interesting and challenging. However, with all the difficulties involved in establishing the authenticity and direct association of existing coats of arms, it seems wiser to create your own modern day family crest, one that truly belongs to your family and which you can bequeath to succeeding generations.
Why Create Your Own Modern Family Crest?
Advantages of a Modern Approach
Authenticity Guaranteed:
- No questions about rightful ownership
- Directly reflects your actual family story
- Incorporates contemporary family values
- Creates new traditions for future generations
Personal Meaning:
- Represents your family's true achievements
- Reflects current family dynamics
- Honors all branches of your family tree
- Celebrates your unique American story
Designing Your Family Crest
Having decided to create your own modern day family crest, you may want to start the design process by finding inspiration from your family history. It is good if you can find documentation on the previous generations. If there are none, you can carry on with the more recent history, learning more from the elder family members who are still around.
Research Your Family's Story
Information Gathering:
- Interview elderly relatives about family history
- Document family occupations and achievements
- Identify recurring themes or values
- Note significant family events or milestones
- Research immigration and settlement stories
Questions to Ask:
- What occupations have been common in your family?
- What values have been passed down through generations?
- What achievements is your family most proud of?
- What challenges has your family overcome?
- What traditions define your family culture?
Identify Family Characteristics
Recognize achievements in different fields or occupation. Is there is a prominent author in the family? Are there many doctors, teachers or construction workers in the family? Highlight notable events in your family history and establish the commonality among the family members.
Common Family Themes:
- Professional Legacy: Multiple generations in medicine, education, military service
- Values-Based: Strong emphasis on education, faith, service to others
- Geographic: Connection to specific regions or immigrant experiences
- Talent-Based: Musical, artistic, or athletic abilities running in the family
- Character Traits: Known for hospitality, perseverance, innovation
Translate Themes into Symbols
Once you have ascertained the most distinguishing fact in your family, you can now work out a symbol to feature that particular attribute of your family. For instance, if your forefathers were farmers, you may wish to incorporate an image of a tractor or a plant in your family crest.
Traditional Symbolism for Modern Families:
Professional Symbols:
- Education: Books, quills, owls, graduation caps
- Medicine: Caduceus, healing hands, red cross
- Military: Eagles, shields, crossed swords, stars
- Agriculture: Wheat sheaves, plows, farm animals
- Arts: Paintbrushes, musical notes, theater masks
Value-Based Symbols:
- Faith: Crosses, doves, anchors (hope)
- Family Unity: Interlocked rings, family tree
- Perseverance: Mountains, anchors, oak trees
- Wisdom: Owls, books, light (lamp or candle)
- Service: Helping hands, hearts, community symbols
Modern Interpretations: It may be helpful to refer to the customary symbols used in the olden coat of arms or you can simply develop a more contemporary graphic representation of your family. Consider:
- Simplified, clean designs over ornate medieval styles
- Technology symbols for modern professions
- Environmental symbols reflecting current values
- Global symbols representing modern connectivity
Incorporating Your Ethnic Heritage
Ethnic heritage is one other factor to consider while you are working on the design of your modern day family crest. It is very much possible that your family descended from different ethnicities since the people in United States come from all corners of the globe. It would be interesting to add in other elements representing the different cultures in your lineage.
Celebrating Multiple Heritages
Thus, if you have Polish, German and Irish blood, you may include in your family crest symbols representing these countries, such as miniature flags or cultural symbols.
Cultural Symbol Examples:
European Heritage:
- Irish: Shamrocks, Celtic knots, harps
- German: Pretzels, beer steins, oak leaves
- Italian: Grape vines, olive branches, classical columns
- Polish: Eagles, crowns, Solidarity symbols
- Scottish: Thistles, tartans, bagpipes
Other Heritages:
- African: Adinkra symbols, masks, drums
- Asian: Dragons, lotus flowers, bamboo
- Latin American: Suns, corn, pyramids
- Native American: Feathers, animals, natural elements
Creative Integration
Actually, there is no limitation as to the symbols you can use to represent the countries from which your family come. Whether it be the Irish leprechaun or the German stein, even the foods, or well-known architectural and natural landmarks, or any other popular symbols, you are free to add them into your family crest. Be creative!
Integration Strategies:
- Divide the shield into sections (quarters) for different heritages
- Use border designs incorporating multiple cultural elements
- Combine symbols in creative ways (e.g., American eagle with cultural elements)
- Use colors that represent different heritages
- Create a motto that honors multiple traditions
Finalizing Your Design
When you have all the elements you want to incorporate into your modern day family crest, you may proceed to the final design.
Design Execution Options
DIY Approaches: If you have the talent, you can draw the family crest yourself. Otherwise, you may wish to seek the help of a family member who has the artistic ability.
Digital Creation: If you are computer-savvy, you can use any graphic software to design your modern day family crest. You can choose from the clip art in stock or source materials from the Internet.
Digital Tools for Crest Design:
- Free Options: GIMP, Canva, Google Drawings
- Professional Software: Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW
- Specialized Heraldry Software: DrawShield, Blazonry
- Online Crest Makers: Various websites offer templates and tools
Professional Execution
However, if your intention is to create a family crest that would serve as a family heirloom to be passed on to your descendants, it is best to hire a professional artist who can take in your design concept and execute a graphic rendition of your family crest.
When to Hire Professionals:
- Creating formal heraldic artwork
- Designing for engraving or embroidery
- Preparing files for commercial reproduction
- Ensuring technical accuracy for various applications
Professional Services:
- Graphic designers specializing in heraldic art
- Traditional heraldic artists
- Genealogy companies offering design services
- Local art schools or students
Design Principles for Modern Crests
Keep It Simple:
- Avoid overcrowding with too many elements
- Ensure scalability from large displays to small items
- Use clear, recognizable symbols
- Maintain good contrast and readability
Make It Meaningful:
- Every element should represent something significant
- Create a story that explains each component
- Ensure symbols accurately reflect your family
- Design for longevity, not current trends
Applications and Uses
You can have this artwork reproduced on wherever you want to put your family crest. Just like in the olden days, you may wish to have a ring cast and engraved with your family crest, or a tapestry perhaps.
Traditional Applications
- Family rings and jewelry
- Tapestries and banners
- Formal stationery and letterhead
- Bookplates for family libraries
- Carved wooden plaques
Modern Applications
- Digital watermarks for family photos
- Website headers for family sites
- Social media profile images
- T-shirts and casual wear
- Phone cases and tech accessories
- Car decals and home decoration
Creating Family Documentation
Recording Your Design Process
Document Everything:
- Initial research and family interviews
- Symbol meanings and rationale
- Design evolution and decisions
- Final artwork files and specifications
- Family stories behind each element
Create a Family Crest Guide:
- Detailed explanation of all symbols
- Colors and their meanings
- Family history that inspired the design
- Proper usage guidelines
- Digital files in various formats
The Legacy You Create
The main advantage of creating your own modern day family crest is the guarantee that the design is a true representation of your family. If you take the further steps to document it, all succeeding generations will have the assurance that this coat of arms is authentic -- that it belongs indeed to the family and not something that belongs to a namesake with whom you do not share any blood relations.
Building Family Identity
Long-term Benefits:
- Creates new family traditions
- Strengthens family identity
- Provides talking points about family history
- Encourages genealogy interest in younger generations
- Gives family members a sense of belonging
Passing It Forward: By giving future generations a sense of place, security and belongingness, a family crest would be the best gift you can give to your family.
Start Your Design Journey
Creating a modern family crest is more than an artistic endeavor—it's an act of love for your family's future. Your design will become a visual representation of what makes your family unique, serving as a bridge between past accomplishments and future aspirations.
Begin by gathering your family's stories, identifying the values and achievements that define your lineage, and translating those elements into symbols that will inspire pride for generations to come. Your modern family crest will be authentically yours, carrying forward the true essence of your family's remarkable journey.