A Crest Is Only Part of a Coat of Arms
A crest is a tuft on a bird's head, a ridge, or a heraldic emblem. In heraldry it names one element, not the whole design.
A crest is a tuft on an animal's head, the top of a ridge or wave, or a heraldic emblem. Heralds are strict about the last one: the crest is only the figure that sits on top of the helmet, while the whole design is a *coat of arms* or an *achievement*. Calling a family's full arms their crest is one of the commonest heraldic errors. The word is Latin *crista*, a tuft or plume, which sat on a Roman helmet.
- A tuft of feathers. *A crested bird.*
- The top of a ridge or wave. *The crest of the hill.*
- A heraldic emblem. *The family crest.*
- Crestfallen — dejected. *He looked crestfallen.*
- Coat of arms — the whole design. *The full coat of arms.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | crest | The crest of a wave. |
| Plural | crests | Two crests. |
| Adjective | crested | A crested grebe. |
| Adjective | crestfallen | Crestfallen. |
| Latin | crista | A tuft or plume. |
- The surfer rode the crest.Waves.
- A great crested grebe.Birds.
- He came back crestfallen.From a bird's drooping crest.
Parts of a coat of arms
- Shield — the central design, the arms proper
- Crest — the figure above the helmet
- Helm — the helmet between shield and crest
- Motto — the phrase, usually on a scroll
- Supporters — figures standing either side, granted only to some
Old French *creste*, from Latin *crista*, a tuft, plume or comb. The heraldic sense dates from the 1300s.
Is a family crest the same as a coat of arms?
No. The crest is only the emblem above the helmet. The full design is the coat of arms.
Why does crestfallen mean dejected?
From a bird or animal whose raised crest droops. A raised crest signals confidence; a fallen one the opposite.