Blog

What Role Did Family Crests Play in Preserving Heritage and Identity?
Published on: 05/21/2024

Understanding the profound significance of historical family crests in preserving heritage and identity, we delve into their pivotal role at Shield and Crest in safeguarding and celebrating our rich cultural heritage and individual identities....

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The Role of Wedding Flasks in Bachelor Parties - A Toast to Brotherhood
Published on: 05/03/2024

Bachelor parties have long been a time-honored tradition, a chance for the groom-to-be and his closest friends to celebrate one last hurrah before tying the knot. While the activities and destinations may vary, one thing remains constant &ndas...

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Elevate Your Home Decor With Crest Swords And Daggers
Published on: 04/08/2024

At Shield and Crest, we believe home decor should be more than just aesthetically pleasing—it should tell a story, evoke emotions, and reflect your unique personality. One of the most captivating ways to achieve this is by showcasing cre...

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Happy customers
Published on: 06/28/2018

We always love to see photos of happy customers! Here is Mr. Reynolds with his custom hand-painted Duke Battle Shield, which will hang proudly in his office in Greensboro NC.

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In over 4 decades of hand painting coats of arms for folk
Published on: 06/28/2018

In over 4 decades of hand painting coats of arms for folk, I have come across the term "family crest" many times, and indeed have had to resort to using the same words myself to be understood. Most people know that the correct way is a...

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Blog1
Published on: 03/12/2018

We get calls sometimes from customers who wonder why the coat of arms we painted for them is different from something else they have seen. Folk seem to believe that there is one single coat of arms for each name, which in a few...

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Handmade In Ireland
Published on: 01/29/2018

Made In Ireland?....Not exactly. Embroidered coat of arms products are sold in stores and online as being "Handmade In Ireland". If this was the case, we would sell them also. The fact is that nobody in Ireland is producing the...

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FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH
Published on: 01/08/2014

At www.shieldandcrest.com we get quite a few phone calls from folk interested in the coat of arms (family crest) for their name as part of their ongoing family research. ( We even pay for the call!) It’s always interesting to hear ho...

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THE MOST POPULAR IRISH SURNAMES
Published on: 11/06/2013

The twenty most numerous Irish surnames are: 1-Murphy. 2-Kelly. 3-Sullivan. 4-Walsh. 5-Smith. 6- O’Brien. 7-Byrne. 8-Ryan. 9-Connor. 10- O’Neill. 11-Reilly. 12-Doyle. 13-McCarthy. 14-Gallagher. 15-Doherty. 16-Kennedy. 17-Lynch....

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ALL ABOUT COATS OF ARMS - PART ONE
Published on: 10/25/2013

Nearly every heraldry site you see will state that coats of arms (family crests to some) were invented so that one could tell one mounted rider from another in battle. The heraldic scholar, A.C. Fox-Davies points out that coats of arms wer...

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AUGMENTATIONS OF HONOUR
Published on: 10/11/2013

Certain coats of arms fall into the category of augmentations of honour. Some arms will have been directly awarded, in the case of English heraldry, by the Monarch of the day. The arms of the Dodge family is said to have been directly gran...

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THE TORSE (WREATH OF THE COLORS)
Published on: 10/04/2013

As I have recorded in previous articles, the crest was made from light wood, animal hides ( leather) or paper mache and mounted on top of the helmet. It helped to make the rider appear much taller. The issue of where the crest was attached...

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CROWNS & CORONETS
Published on: 09/12/2013

Ancient man probably utilized a headband, or fillet, to keep his long hair from getting into his eyes. Later on it became more specialized, religious leaders would wear a different style from fighting warriors for instance. By the time of ...

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THE ARMS OF SCOTLAND
Published on: 08/20/2013

The Arms of Scotland comprise a yellow (gold) shield with a red lion rampant surrounded by (in heraldic language) “A double tressure flory-counterflory gules” Two thin lines studded with red fleur de lys. Many myths surround th...

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THE COURT OF LORD LYON OF SCOTLAND
Published on: 08/12/2013

Coats of arms ( Family Crests) in Scotland come under the control of the Court Of Lord Lyon. There are eleven officers of the court and they deal with all aspects of Scottish heraldry and the granting of new grants of arms. Under the Lyon ...

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