Celebrate your family heritage with a gift that will be genuinely cherished – the Russell Family Crest framed and printed on museum-quality matte paper. Beautifully illustrated. Carefully researched. Uniquely personal.
The Symbolism of the Russell coat of arms
The Russell surname was established in England immediately following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The foundational ancestor, Hugh de Rosel (originally from the lordship of Rosel in Cotentin, Normandy), is officially recorded in William the Conqueror’s Domesday Book of 1086 as holding hereditary feudal estates directly from the King in Dorset. The ancient seat of this Anglo-Norman family was at Kingston Russell in Dorsetshire. Historical records show that around 1224 (8 Henry III), Sir Ralph Russell was officially granted custody of his wife’s extensive baronial lands. In the oldest feudal records of Dorset and Gloucestershire, this original line of "Rossells" is explicitly documented as bearing the red lion rampant (Argent, a lion rampant gules).
This particular version of the Russell family crest is linked to the Dukes of Bedford, who added a goat. According to one source, the goat was chosen "to demonstrate martial perseverance, agility, and the relentless drive to climb to the highest peaks of success."
Three scallop shells, known as "pilgrim shells" represent ancestors who undertook the sacred crusades or pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela.
The Motto is the now world-famous maxim, "Che sara sara" (What will be, will be). First adopted by John Russell, the 1st Earl of Bedford, in the 16th century, it remains a timeless testament to facing destiny with ultimate confidence and composure.
Artist's note: I was intrigued to learn that medieval pilgrims collected sea shells from the beaches of Galicia to prove they had reached the western edge of Christendom.
About the artist
Each crest on this site is an artwork by heraldic artist Éamonn Breathnach. Éamonn’s designs are carefully researched and based on the earliest available records from a variety of heraldic archives. Noted for their elegance and attention to detail, these artworks are perfect for gifting to family and friends on any special occasion.
Product details
• Printed with water-based inks.
• Ayous wood .75″ (1.9 cm) thick frame from renewable forests
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil (0.26 mm)
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Acrylite front protector
• Hanging hardware included
No Warehouses. No Waste. Just for you, made to order.
This product is printed especially for you when ordered, one at a time, by royal decree of Mother Nature to keep the realm beautiful. Producing items on demand rather than in bulk reduces overproduction and waste. Family Crests Store guarantees that all consumer products comply with EU and USA safety and quality standards.
Don't see your family name?
We are always happy to add new crests to our collection, so please reach out. ⚜️
