Craanen family crest - ever seen?

[Kilted Craanen]

Hello lads,

Im sorting my ancestry out. Was wondering if anyone has ever seen my family crest, shown below. I know the Cranstoun family crest (lowland clan) has the same birds (cranes) but has three, and a red background.

My crest includes:
A blue background with a silver crane which holds something
a late-medieval helmet with the same crane on it.
the usual fancy stuff around it



Any suggestions, tips and what have you are welcome.

Daniel

[macwilkin]

Hello lads,

Im sorting my ancestry out. Was wondering if anyone has ever seen my family crest, shown below. I know the Cranstoun family crest (lowland clan) has the same birds (cranes) but has three, and a red background.

My crest includes:
A blue background with a silver crane which holds something
a late-medieval helmet with the same crane on it.
the usual fancy stuff around it



Any suggestions, tips and what have you are welcome.

Daniel

In heraldry, especially Scottish heraldy there is no such thing as a "family crest" -- coats-of-arms belong to individuals, not surnames. I would assume the same holds true for heraldry in the Netherlands.

The American Heraldry Sociey gives this URL as an information source for heraldry in the Netherlands:

http://www.cbg.nl/

For information about Scottish heraldry, I would look here:

http://www.heraldry-scotland.co.uk/

Regards,

Todd

[Chas]

Hi Daniel,

Common misunderstanding - what you are showing us is a coat of arms (not a crest). The crest is the bit at the top above the helmet - that's why it is called the crest.

These type of arms are called, in English, canting arms. That is to say they they are a visual pun - the crane for the name Crane. In the middle ages, this type of arms (canting) were the most sought after, because they are 'say what you see'.

Regards

Chas
Former-committee Norfolk Heraldry Society
Former-committee Suffolk Heraldry Society
Member Heraldry Society
Trustee the International Heraldry Society
Member the White Lion Society
Associate of the International Association for the Promotion of Heraldic and Genealogical Sciences
and all round thoroughly nice individual

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

The crane is holding a rock. They do this so they won't fall asleep, the theory being that as they doze off they drop the rock, which splashes when it hits the water, and they wake up.

Whereas the heraldic practice in the British isles limits the shield of arms to one single individual, the practice in Germany and the low countries is different, and allows for family arms. Generally in this situation, although the arms are the same for a wide range of blood related individuals, the crests would be personal. This is why, in some German armorials, you find a shield surmounted by numerous helmets all with different crests. The reasoning behind this is two fold: first, there is great pride in the family name and all von Whatsits want to display the shield of their first noble ancestor. Secondly, only nobles are allowed a helmet and crest. So, when you think about it, differencing by crest is as reasonable a way to go about things as differencing by brissure or bordure.

There are four elements to what is called an achievement of arms: The shield, which is the most important part, the crest, then the helmet, which in some countries may indicate social rank or status, and the manteling, which is the frilly bit that surrounds most of the achievement. This bit is usually in the livery colours of the armiger (in the British Isles) or may be of specific colours which indicate either status or rank. There are several good books on the heraldic practices of the Netherlands and you should be able to find them at your local library.

[JolyStNicholas]

Thank you Orelai, I as well as the other members of XMarkstheScot appreciate
the kind comment, we like to think too that we have a great mixture of folks here.

All of us in our own way try to help out as best we can.

Welcome to XMarks from Lake County in Central Florida!

[bcraenen]

I have some good and bad news for you.

The bad news is that this is not a Scottish coat of arms. So if this is your coat of arms, you're not Scottish.

The good news is that this is a Dutch/Germanic coat of arms. So if this is your coat of arms, you're from the house of Craan. As am I.

The coat of arms is also somewhat incorrectly depicted. If should be a crane proper, facing sinister, holding a rock proper, on a stand Or (usually a trapezoid). Over the arms a knights helmet with crane proper and mantle Azure. No standards or motto (for the houses' coat of arms, different branches do have mottos and standards), and the background is usually Argent. The coat of arms is canting, with the rock standing for eternal vigilance, and the stand depicting steadfastness. Alliance coats of arms are per pale or fess, not by bend.

The coat of arms covers the families of Craan, Crane, Craen, Kraan, Craene, Kraen, Krane, Craenen, Kranen, Kraanen, Craanen, etc. All of which are variations for writing the same name. The houses background is in the Catholic south of the Netherlands (Generality Lands of the Republic of the Seven Dutch Provinces, although the family pre-dates it by several centuries). The 'e' after 'n' was usually added to emphasise the 'n', the 'en' ending to emphasise the ending 'e', 'ae' and 'aa' indicate a long 'a'. Most variations were caused by priests interpreting the name pronunciations in different parts of (what are now) the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium.

The family tree extends to the 1630's (which is exceptional since is also covers the reformation and the anti-reformation) and some branches (not mine) are allowed to use 'van Cranendonk' (the family land's forest), and 'van Cranenburg' (the fortified city). This should give you an idea of where the house is from. There is evidence of an artisan of the house of Craan in the dark ages making wooden carvings. Overall the houses' fortunes have been adversely affected by the 80-years war, the 30-years war, the war of the Spanish Succession, and the Napoleonic Wars, during both title and lands have been lost to the house, mostly because the house has the dubious distinction for fighting for both sides at the same time.

There is no established Scottish link, so leave the kilt at home.