Family Crests
Wednesday, September 10th, 2008
Family Crest Terminology.
For many years I’ve been interested in “Coats of Arms” quiet often referred to as Family Crests. The Family Crest is of course part of the Coat of Arms and can be found sitting directly on top of the wreath, which is above the helmet, mantle and shield.
The terminology used in Heraldry such as habitation origin, occupational origin and occupative origin, is quiet simple to understand for those involved in Heraldry and for those who may have studied it.
I shall give you samples of Heraldic terminology and their meanings.
The surname is of occupational origin.
What does this mean?
This means, being part of that category of surnames derived from a position that was held or indeed the occupation that was pursued by the original bearer of the name.
Example;
The old English name Burgess is a surname of occupational origin. The burgess was someone who held a lot of land, and was required to render little or no service to the King of England. The Burgess name can also be found in Ireland and a notable bearer of this name was Cathal Brugha (1874-1922) the courageous Republican leader who was killed in the ferocious Civil War of 1922. He came from an old Dublin Family also named Burgess.
The surname is of occupative origin.
What does this mean?
This means that the name derived from the occupation of some of the common trades of Medieval Europe and gives a glimpse into the daily lives of some of our ancestors.
Example;
The name Stelmack from Poland is of occupative origin. This name is derived from the old Germanic name “Stellmacher” which translated into English means carriage maker. In the nineteenth century, during the emigration from Europe to the United States, the name Stelmack was first introduced. The name Kirilo Stelmach was recorded in North America in the year 1897.
The name is of habitation origin.
What does this mean?
This means that the name came, from the place or home of the original bearer of the name.
Example;
There is an old name from Poland called “Krysztaki” and this would be classified as a name of habitational origin. Original bearers of the name may have displayed a sign or engraving over the door of their residence, indicating the place where the residence was located, by some geographical feature. One of the earlier references to the name, is that of one Mikolaj Frystacki, which is a variant of the name Krysztaki, who was cited in the Sandomiera region in or around the year 1436.
There is also an entry for Waclow Frystacki who entered the United States in 1907 through the port of Ellis Island in New York. Notable bearers of this name is a professor Krysataf Frysatacki and he is head of the Sociology Department of Jagiellonian University in Krakow.
From this I hope you will find that some of this Heraldic terminology is quiet simple, but was written in an old fashioned way. Some of it was translated from Latin and Norman French which was the language it eas written in at the time.
There are many ways you can show and display you earliest “Coat of Arms” but here are some of the world’s favourites;
The Family Crest Ring engraved with your earliest crest or shield and includes your name.
The Family Seal Ring reversed engraved to enable you to make the Family Seal in wax on letters and valuable documents.
The Family Crest Banner, embroidered with your earliest “Coat of Arms” showing your crest and the markings on your shield.
The Family Crest Plaque embroidered or painted with your earliest “Coat of Arms”. These can be presented in a single or double format, and makes a unique and beautiful display in you home or office.
The Family Crest Pendant usually bought as a gift for a family member or a loved one. These can be purchased from Societygifts in Gold or Silver, engrave with your family’s earliest recorded “Coat of Arms”.
Great discounts on all “Family Crests”.
