Our Family Name Histories are guaranteed to be historically authentic. With over one million names covered in our database from over 145 different countries and cultures, we are the preeminent source of Family Name Histories and Coats of Arms. Each History is researched individually. With access to many rare and exclusive Books, Manuscripts and documents, Heraldry and Crests uses an extensive library, along with, hand recorded and computerized records to individually research each family's name history. All of Heraldry and Crest's heraldic products are custom made and personalized to be a worthy reflection of your family name. The coat of arms, which originated in Europe, is also often referred to as armorial bearings, armorial devices or heraldic devices. The coat of arms, which was utilized initially by knights as a way of identifying themselves and setting themselves apart from soldier-enemies, could belong to a group of people or even a specific person. Also referred to as a family crest, a family coat of arms is essentially a graphic display of your family's name. This tradition, which goes back nearly 800 years, symbolizes the history of a family name. A family crest plaque or coat of arms may be unique to not only a family, but a person, corporation or state as well. Coats of arms belong to the tradition of heraldry, which refers to the design and display of the arms. When towns, countries or villages use coats of arms, it is called civic heraldry. A traditional coat of arms usually includes a patterned shield that is decorated with a crest, a helmet, a motto, a crown, a wreath and a mantling. A coat of arms may be used by a school, college, church, guild, corporation or families to reflect their origins.