What are family crests?
Family crests are an element of heraldry which evolved in the Middle Ages to identify the wearer of armour in battle and flourished with the popularity of jousting tournaments. Heraldic markings started with simple colours and shapes and became more complicated over time.
The descriptions of the various heraldic markings were recorded in Norman English as "Blazons"(see Glossary). The rules which developed under the presiding officers of the tournaments still form the basis of heraldic law. Read more…