How do you start a family crest?

Question:I want to start a family crest but don't know how to go about it. Someone please help. Thank you

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I want to start a family crest but don't know how to go about it. Someone please help. Thank you

If you go to Amazon.Com and select "Books" and put in Heraldry, you will come up with many books that I believe you would find helpful.
Ted & Wendy are correct. Designing your own is the correct way.

One thing there is no such thing as a family crest. Actually that is a misnomer for a coat of arms.

The Anglo Saxon people of the American South usually have more than one coat of arms in their family trees, including people of humble means but that does not mean they themselves are entitled to any of them.
Now, some in the South have the one their ancestor brought from England 300-400 years ago. They don't display them. They aren't any good for buying groceries. When I was a kid I was visiting with a neighbor family and the father and children were using his for a dart board. It wasn't one of those tacky little dinky walnut plaques either.

The problem with these peddlers on the internet, at shopping malls, airports etc., is they sell them on a surname. Please see the links below

http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/Faq.ht...

http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/comconsumerp...

I might add, we have people on this board who apparently are in the pocket of House of Names or trying to help someone who has done them a favor. They have no ethics or understanding of right and wrong.
They are the ones guilty of thumbs downing and gang voting. They have found out intimidation will not get them anywhere.

At least Wendy and I provided very valid and unquestionable sources for our answers.

you probably already have one. Every family has one they just may not know or care. You can go to geneology sites and see what your crest is or talk to the older members of yoru family, I bet someone either has a copy of it or can tell you where to find it.

Have a look at this website, if you type your name in the search bar on the left hand side and then click search it will come up with some text about your name and a 'coat of arms' if there is one for your name.
http://www.houseofnames.com/xq/asp.c/qx/...
hope this helps.

Look at some others at House of Names, then get yourself a set of colored pencils and white paper. Read up a bit on Heraldry first, so you don't use the symbols that mean "illegitimate son of a timid man".

"Every family has one" is the biggest misconception in Genealogy today.

Educate yourself.
http://www.cyndislist.com/myths.htm#Cons...
the above list includes many of the common misconceptions and scams concerning genealogy.
Unfortunately, people believe what they choose.. even if there are NUMEROUS reputable sources that explain otherwise.
"every family has one" is absolutely false. As for houseofnames.. read the fine print.
It would be far more legitimate to design your own.