Some people use the term "family crest" interchangeably with the heraldic terms "coat-of-arms" or "family shield." Although a family crest is sometimes used as a personal badge in heraldry, technically speaking, a family crest is only one component of an heraldic display such as a coat-of-arms.
The crest is usually the uppermost design element in a coat-of-arms, standing on top of an armour helmet shown in the coat-of-arms, just like a bird's crest sits atop its head.
A wreath (torse) in the family liveries (the principal colors of the shield) usually surrounds the crest, but in the case of family crests of nobles such as princes, dukes or earls, a coronet often takes the place of the torse or sits on top of the torse.
A variety of subjects may be used as armorial crests. Some of the more common subjects include a hand or arm holding a weapon, a lion, horse or dragon, and an eagle's or other bird's wings.
Heraldic family crests and coats-of-arms originated in the early Middle Ages, coming into full use during the feudal period. Medieval knights used their crests and coats-of-arms to quickly and easily identify themselves to friends and foes during tournaments and battles. For example, a cloth surcoat or tunic decorated with his coat-of-arms was worn over a knight's armour. And his shield, helmet and pennant or banner were also painted with design elements of the coat-of-arms, oftentimes the crest. A similar system - but with different design elements - evolved and came into use in feudal Japan.
With the exception of reigning Queens, women are not normally entitled to use family crests, and neither are members of the clergy. This is a historical artefact, attributable to the fact that women and clergymen did not participate in battle or in medieval tournaments and accordingly would not have had a helmet on which to display a family crest. Because the stylized representations which we now think of as being family crests originated as displays atop actual armoured helmets, there was no mechanism by which a family crest for a woman or clergyman would be created.
Although in many countries only certain people ("armigers") are technically entitled to use family crests and coats-of-arms, they are attractive designs that in modern times have become popular as wall displays and as part of the design of objects such as jewelry. Like coats-of-arms, heraldic family crests relate to a specific individual or family name and sometimes symbolically represent the individual's deeds or the family history. Typically, very specific symbolic devices, colors and patterns are combined to create a heraldic family crest, and each of these components tells part of the story of the person or family that the crest belongs to. They are highly stylized and it is sometimes very difficult to accurately decipher the symbolism used in a family crest.
Even when the symbolism is undecipherable, however, heraldic family crests are beautiful and highly decorative. They can be made into wall hangings, framed prints, plaques, necklaces, money clips, signet rings, cufflinks, goofball markers and divot tools, and many other types of items. But because they link us to a more noble time, whatever item you choose to have made with a family crest will evoke the magic of the Middle Ages.
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