During ancient and medieval times in Ireland, many of the prominent families throughout the island had highly detailed and extravagant family crests made up. These family crests often adorned their homes or estates, battle armor and shields, flags, stationary, and wax seals. As Irish Gaelic was spoken as the majority first tongue in Ireland prior to the 19th century, it was very common to have Irish Gaelic phrases embedded into the crest designs. Gaelic words that they included were obviously the family name first and foremost, as well as other terms such as strength, honor, God, and many others. Some of these crests would go on to strike fear in people, especially if they were associated with a brutal or oppressive aristocratic family, or a fearsome rival who was renown on the battlefield. Due to the significance of these crests and role they played, it's becoming increasingly common for people to have them tattooed on to their skin.
