What’s Your Family’s Motto?

I’ve finally finished a book this week that I’ve skimmed a bunch.  It’s Raising a Modern-Day Knight by Robert Lewis.  The goal of the book is a father’s role in guiding his son to authentic manhood.

In it Lewis has some great points, but he uses a lot of symbolism tied to medieval knighthood ceremonies.  One of the things he utilizes with his sons is the family crest.  The family crest was put on shields or artwork and was the “logo” for the family.  It was a symbol of what the family stood for.  In his book, he shares how he has used the crest at different rites of passages for his sons (in a frame, in a ring, etc.).

I looked up the Agnew family crest and this is what it looks like:

The motto is “consilio non impetu,” which means “by wisdom, not by rashness.”  I suppose the purpose of it is to make logical decisions and not make mistakes in the heat of the moment.  It’s not a bad motto.

You can look up your family’s motto here.  Click this link and you can search for your name.  When you see it, go down to the end of the page and look for motto.

Lewis actually introduced a new one for his family.  He wanted to turn the tides a bit and give them a personal rallying point.  I’m not going to lie, I’ve been playing around with some symbolism and phrases.  It is pretty hard to summarize what you would tell your boys to be the framework for their lives.  But I am praying and thinking how I can always rally my boys back to the goal of their lives.

Do you know what your family motto is?  Have you looked up your coat of arms or crew?  I would love to hear from you.  What is your family motto?  Or what would you want your family motto to be?

5 thoughts on “What’s Your Family’s Motto?”

  1. The Agnew motto is “consilio non impetu,” which means “by wisdom, not by rashness.”

  2. Clan Barclay – Aut agere aut mori – Either Action or Death! According to Peter Barclay of Towie Barclay and of that Ilk, Chief of the Name and Arms of Barclay.

    I’ve seen it differently on some sites, including house of names. But the one above is Official.

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