The Meek Family Crest

Historically, crests were used by knights to identify them apart from enemy soldiers, but they eventually became emblems of a number of Scottish clans. In my research it appears that the tradition was primarily practiced in Western European countries, but can be rarely seen in African and Asian genealogy.

The Meeks were first found in Fife and their records appeared on early census scrolls taken by the kings of Scotland. The name is English and Scottish, a nickname for a self-effacing person or a gentle and compassionate one, from Middle English meke ‘humble’, ‘submissive’, ‘merciful’ .

Jon had shown me the Meek crest before and I was curious to find out more about what the meanings and symbols on it held. I researched crest symbolism as well as various sites about the meaning of the Meek crest / coat of arms.


(Reference the second illustration for the terms below)

Motto
"JUNGOR UT IMPLEAR", meaning "Union is Strength" or "I Am Joined So That I May Become Full", although this graphic I found doesn't show the motto, except for country of origin.

Colors
Gold represents generosity and elevation of the mind (smarties!)
Red represents warrior or martyr; military strength and magnanimity

Crest
The lion symbolizes "dauntless courage".

Torse
or wreath, is a twisted roll of fabric wound around the top of the helmet and crest to hold the mantle in place, sometimes held to represent the token which the crusader’s lady-love gave him when he left for the wars.

Helm (Helmet)
A barred or open helmet means nobility.

Manteling
The wavey elements around the helmet are a depiction of the protective cloth covering worn by knights from their helmets to stave off the elements.

Coronet
This would be the crown adornment. The Meek crest has none, which I assume to mean lineage was not of that status level.

Supporters
Typically these are animal or human figures that stand on either side of the shield. Rarely leaves are shown, as depicted, which have some kind of unspecified local significance.

Field
This is the area of solid color(s) in the background of the shield. It was regarded more heraldic than the landscape fields of other crests.

Ordinaries
Some shields have lines, chevrons or patterns on the shield, none of which are depicted here, although the wavey red shape around the lion could represent fire according to the symbolism guide I linked to above.

Common Charges
The lion is repeated here on the shield as well as in the crest above the knight's helmet.. perhaps the lion here inside the fire is a military reference to "courage under fire".

Order
Decoration awarded by a government, a dynastic house, or a religious body to an individual, usually for distinguished service to a nation or to humanity. This would be located directly under the shield. This one lacks that decoration but I would assume it would be something that would be present on an individual's crest rather than this generic family crest.

Compartment
I believe this is simply the grounding which could be grass or water, etc. The Meek crest has none.


I'd love to save up to put one of these on my wall some day. There are some really nice looking wooden or wood and marble plaques. My grandmother had one for the Warne family (my mother's side) and I always thought it was so neat, a very profound representation of family history.