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Family Crests and Family Shields
The art of heraldry can be traced back to the twelfth century. An individual family coat of arms and a crest was created for knights so that they could be identified in battle despite their heavy armor. Each coat of arms must be unique and have specific meaning according to the rules of family heraldry, so no two Irish surnames will bear the same designs.
We are proud to showcase our collection of Irish family shields. This collection consists of shields for families that are handmade by our heraldry artist located here in Dublin. These artists have been making family shields since 1965. Through our vast library, we trace 96% of all known names requested, including those of Irish, British and European origin. These beautiful plaques bearing the Irish family crest, Irish coat of arms, and motto are a very popular wedding gift. They are perfect if you want to proudly display the unique emblems of your family name. You can also purchase a double shield, displaying two heraldic shields, as a touching wedding gift. Our single shields range from medium to large. We also have a range of Irish family crest prints.
View our excellent customer reviews here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Crests and Family Shields.
What is a family crest?
The family crest is set within the full coat of arms. The crest is the smaller component of the full coat of arms. In battle, the crest was used on the knights helmet, whilst the coat of arms was used on the cloak because it was bigger.
What is in an Irish coat of arms?
A coat of arms consists of a crest, helm, wreath, mantling, supporters, compartment, motto and shield.
Why do Irish families have a coat of arms?
A coat of arms is designed to help a family recognize their family's achievements in battle, and also to create an individual identity for their family name.
Do I need to send you the family crest I need?
No. Leave that to us. However, if you specifically have a family crest that you want us to replicate, you can tell us in the order notes at the checkout and Aidan will contact you.
How long does it take for my order to be complete?
It takes up to five weeks to complete you order. This is a standard amount of time for a handmade work of art made from scratch. Each one is custom made. It is well worth the wait. Just look at our great reviews on our page.
