3-Step Guide to Heraldry - Irish Crests and Coat of Arms

Heraldry is enjoying a new popularity. Here is our 3-step guide to Irish and Family Crests and Coat of Arms.

1. What is Heraldry?
Back in the 12th century around the time of the Crusades, the Coat of Arms became a form of identification as a knight dressed in armor from head to foot could not be recognized by friends or enemies. Special markings were painted on the knight’s shield as it would be very visible due to the large size and everybody would then see who he was at a glance.

2. How Has Heraldry Evolved?
Rather than being awarded to an individual, a coat of arms was awarded to a family or a name. The design usually started out as being pretty simple but then subsequent generations would have continued to make variations to the design and made it their own. Marriages often resulted in a combination of the coats of arms of two different family lines.

3. How is Heraldry Relevant Today?
An increasingly popular trend is to incorporate family name coats of arms in to jewelry. Whether it’s a pendant, ring or cuff links, this can be done for both male and female jewelry merely by adding a family name and the jeweler will do all the rest and the piece will then be personalized whether it is in silver, white gold or yellow gold.

Irish coats of arms can be included very effectively in heraldry rings for both ladies and gents. The coat of arms can be displayed and engraved perfectly in the center of the ring showcasing proud Irish heritage at all times.

Gents Heavy Oval Hollow Heraldry Yellow Gold Ring
Gents Heavy Oval Hollow Heraldry Yellow Gold Ring

Another way to celebrate Irish heritage is through a pendant, which is 100% customizable and can be a very subtle way of including a heritage symbol with the most intricate engravings.

Family Coat of Arms Yellow Gold Pendant
Family Coat of Arms Yellow Gold Pendant

Very popular with genealogy buffs, a pair of cuff links can be personalized with a family crest to make them very special and as the design and engravings are so subtle, they can be worn as a special occasion piece or for everyday business wear.

Coat of Arms Yellow Gold Cufflinks
Coat of Arms Yellow Gold Cufflinks

Gifts featuring coats of arms are a wonderful choice as they remind us of who we are, where we came from and that we take pride in our family. Providing a link to the past, they also provide a link to the future and are an heirloom that will be passed down from generation to generation.

Get your family name coat of arms jewellery at Rings from Ireland and continue a tradition that has lasted for centuries in Ireland and beyond.
Posted on October 9, 2015