Steel Family Crest framed artprint

The Steel Family Crest framed artprint. Beautifully illustrated. Carefully researched. Uniquely personal.

Whether it’s a gift to celebrate a milestone birthday, a wedding or a housewarming—this piece is an instant heirloom.

The origin of the name Steel

Steel (Steele / Stile) is an ancient Anglo-Norman, English, and Scottish surname derived from Old English stile or stiele (meaning "steel," originally bestowed as a nickname for an unyielding, resolute warrior or a master armorer/smith). Establishing early landed seats across Cumberland, Yorkshire, and Scotland (Steel of Lochwood in Dumfriesshire), the family held respected standing as Border landholders and magistrates. Codified early in feudal records, the name appears in 13th-century Scottish and English charters.

The symbolism of the Steel coat of arms

Visually complex and protective, the Steel coat of arms features an argent / silver or white shield charged with a broad black diagonal band powdered with silver ermine spots (bend ermines), set between two red lion's heads erased facing left. The upper third of the shield features a deep blue top section (chief azure) charged with three golden billets or ingots. In classical heraldry, the silver field symbolises sincerity, peace, and unblemished judicial purity, while the black ermine bend represents high nobility, knightly sashes, and constancy under trial. The two red lion heads signify fierce bravery, watchfulness, and warrior fortitude, while the deep blue chief with three golden billets denotes loyalty, truth, foundational strength, metalworking mastery, and manorial wealth. Positioned above the shield, the crest displays a red lion's head erased set before two crossed silver steel swords, reinforcing victorious defense of domain. The formal recognition of this coat of arms was registered in Scottish and English armorial rolls and catalogued in Burke's Landed Gentry.

Historical figures

Sir Richard Steel (17th Century): Landed gentleman and magistrate recorded in northern county charters.
Lady Elizabeth Steel (18th Century): Recorded gentlewoman and benefactor in Dumfriesshire estate rolls.
David Steel, Baron Steel of Aikwood (b. 1938): Famed Scottish politician, leader of the Liberal Party, and first Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament.

Product details

Ayous wood 0.75″ (1.9 cm) thick frame from renewable forests
Paper thickness: 10.3 mil (0.26 mm)
Paper weight: 189 g/m²
Lightweight & 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. Family Crests Store guarantees your custom treasure meets all EU and USA safety standards.

About the artist

Each coat of arms in the Family Crests Store is an artwork by heraldic artist Éamonn Breathnach. All are carefully researched, drawing from the earliest available records across multiple heraldic archives. Noted for their elegance and attention to detail, these artworks make meaningful gifts for family occasions.