Swift Family Crest beer glass

The Swift Family Crest beer glass. Beautifully illustrated. Carefully researched. Uniquely personal.

Nicely suited for the moments that call for a proper toast. 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 Swift

Swift is an ancient English descriptive surname derived from Old English swift (originally bestowed as a nickname upon a fleet-footed runner, quick-minded scholar, or swift warrior). Establishing early landed seats across Yorkshire, Kent, and Worcestershire, branches of the family settled prominently in Ireland during the 16th century, holding respected ecclesiastical and legal appointments in County Dublin and Kilkenny. The House of Swift achieved immortal fame through Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels and Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral. Codified early in feudal records, the name appears in the 1273 Hundred Rolls (Robert Swift).

The symbolism of the Swift coat of arms

Visually complex and forest-inspired, the Swift coat of arms features a radiant golden shield charged with a broad chevron in vair (a heraldic fur pattern of alternating blue and gold bell-shapes), set between three leaping argent / silver or white stags or harts (harts salient: two in chief, one in base). In classical heraldry, the gold field symbolises generosity, elevation of mind, and royal favor, while the chevron in vair represents high nobility, knightly sashes of honor, architectural defense, and manorial dignity. The three leaping silver stags denote swift alertness, forest lordship, harmony, peace, and fierce defense when cornered. Positioned above the shield, the crest displays a silver stag or hart couchant (resting) holding a white rose on a green stem in its mouth, serving as an iconic emblem of peace, grace, house allegiance, and quiet dignity under trial. Below, the motto scroll displays Cum manus vixisse, translating to "To have lived with clean hands." The formal recognition of this coat of arms was recorded in the Heralds' Visitations of Yorkshire and catalogued in Burke's Peerage.

Historical figures

Jonathan Swift (1667–1745): World-famous Anglo-Irish author, satirist, essayist, and Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral (Gulliver's Travels).
Lady Elizabeth Swift (17th Century): Recorded gentlewoman and benefactor in Yorkshire land charters.
Sir Robert Swift (16th Century): High Sheriff and landed gentleman recorded in northern county rolls.

Product details

• Classic sturdy pint glass with family crest
• Volume: 16 oz (473 ml)
• High heat from the dishwasher or microwave may damage the print, so please hand-wash only.

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.

Don’t see your family name?

I’m always happy to add new crests and products to the collection, so please get in touch if you can’t find what you're looking for. ⚜️