The family crest is an important part of a family's history. Whether your family crest was created centuries ago and passed on from one generation to the next or it was recently created to reflect your family's heritage, your family crest holds great significance in that it gives members of your family an identity.

A family crest gives you and your family an identity, a sense of belongingness and pride. In the article, "Gifts to Proudly Display Your Family Crest," you will read about how you can extend this sense of belongingness and pride --  through gifts. Your family crest can be displayed in various items that family members will be proud of owning.

Family crest gifts are perfect for giving away at family reunions, weddings and other functions where many family members and relatives are present. The article will give you a few family crest ideas regardless of your budget.

Many families have family crests dating back centuries. If your family has a family crest or coat of arms that has been used for a long time, you may be interested to know that your family crest may have a specific meaning.

The family crests in olden days are rife with symbols. In fact, family crests have different meanings depending on their designs, colors and markings used. The article, "Family Crest 101: Interpreting Symbols on the Family Crest," outlines some of the more popular colors, animals and markings used in family crests. Each color, animal and marking used in the family crest has a corresponding meaning. For instance, a family crest sporting a green background for its shield characterizes hope and loyalty in love, while an image of a dragon in the family crest signifies a valiant defender.

While this article is not meant to give you the accurate meaning of your own family crest, it can help you further your search for the true meaning of your family crest.

Does your family have a family crest? A family crest is a special mark or symbol that identifies your lineage. If so, do you know how your family crest come about or how long your family has had that family crest? Did you know that family crests have been used by clans and kins for centuries and served as a quick visual identification among English knights during the olden days? Did you know that family crests have a special unique language?

These and many more interesting facts about the family crest are featured in the article, "The Family Crest: A Brief Introduction." The article explains exactly why there was a need for the family crest and how the family crest developed over the years, who the heralds are and the important role they played in the history of family crests, the unique language of family crests and the many other uses of the family crest.

During the twelfth century, the family crest was a special marking or symbol used by English knights to help them identify kins and countrymen during battles. The use of this special marking or symbol spread throughout Europe that eventually, the family crest served to identify clans, giving identity to families.

In your search for your own family crest, you may come across one that may be yours. However, that family crest may belong to a namesake and not from someone who comes from your lineage. One important thing to note is that coats of arms were historically given to an individual, not to a family name.

So what do you do if a family crest can't be authenticated? Or if your family does not have a family crest? You can create one! The article, "How to Create a Modern Family Crest," gives you tips on how you can create your very own family crest -- from designing a family crest to incorporating your ethnic heritage in the family crest to finalizing the design of your family crest.