Taylor Family Crest beer glass

The Taylor Family Crest on a pint glass. This coat of arms uniquely features a lion looking over it’s shoulder and a leopard guarding a shield. Beautifully illustrated. Carefully researched. Uniquely personal. Beautifully illustrated. Carefully researched. Uniquely personal. 

Nicely suited for the moments that call for a proper toast. Whether it’s a gift for a milestone birthday, a wedding or a housewarming—this piece is an instant heirloom.

The origin of the name Taylor 

This name derives from the Old French word ‘tailleur’ meaning ‘cutter’, an occupational surname signifying a professional tailor. There are several variants of the name including Tayler, Tailor and Tayleur. It’s Gaelic form is Táilliúir. The earliest forms of the Taylor name developed in England after the Norman invasion of 1066. It is first referenced in Ireland in the year 1171. Notable mentions include Henry le Taliur (County Norfolk), Cecil le Tayllour (County Cambridgeshire), and Roger le Taylur (County Lincolnshire), all officially documented in the Hundred Rolls of 1273.

The symbolism and history of the Taylor coat of arms

Embodying centuries of rich heritage, the Taylor coat of arms tells a compelling story of valor, vigilance, and pride. On the central shield, three silver lions are depicted passant reguardant—meaning they are positioned walking forward but looking backward over their shoulders. In traditional heraldry, this striking posture symbolises a potent blend of courage and circumspection; it represents a protector who steps boldly into the future while remaining mindfully protective of their history and ever-vigilant against hidden dangers. Perched proudly on the crest above is a spotted leopard passant guardant holding a miniature shield. The unique inclusion of both a lion and a leopard honors an ancient Anglo-Norman heraldic tradition where early Norman heralds used the French word "leopard" to describe a forward-facing lion. 

Signifying strength, courage and nobility, the arrangement of three lions as a symbol dates back to the reign of Richard I in the late 12th century. A lion with one paw raised signifies vigilance and readiness for opportunity or challenge.

The motto Natale solum dulce translates as Our native soil is sweet.

This specific coat of arms—described in Burke’s General Armory and Fairbairn's Book of Crests—was officially recognised and granted to the branch of the Taylor family established in Bedfordshire, England. The College of Arms dispatched heralds to conduct official audits, known as Heralds’ Visitations, to review, verify, and formally recognise the gentry’s right to bear specific arms. For the Taylor family established in Bedfordshire, this official recognition occurred during the county's historical visitations, which took place from 1566 conducted by William Harvey, Clarenceux King of Arms.

Artist note

The black panel running down the middle of the shield, known as a 'pale', is relatively unusual in heraldry. The word originates from the Old French pal (and the Latin palus), meaning a wooden stake or picket. In the twelfth century, these heavy posts were driven into the ground to fortify camps and form defensive boundaries; consequently, a pale represents fortitude and defence. Likewise, a lion looking backward is quite rare, requiring a fair amount of reference checking to get exactly right! I have yet to encounter another family coat of arms featuring both a lion and a leopard. All in all, I am delighted with the end result and would love to time-travel back to the 1500s to show it to the Taylors of old.

Fascinating historical figures named Taylor

Zachary Taylor (1784–1850): A highly decorated military general affectionately dubbed "Old Rough and Ready" for his crucial victories in the Mexican-American War, he went on to serve as the 12th President of the United States.

Brook Taylor (1685–1731): An influential English mathematician and Fellow of the Royal Society whose brilliant insights into calculus produced the "Taylor series" and "Taylor's theorem," foundational mathematical concepts that remain essential to modern science and engineering.

Annie Edson Taylor (1838–1921): A fiercely independent and daring American schoolteacher who secured her place in history on October 24, 1901, by becoming the first person to ever successfully conquer and survive a trip over Niagara Falls inside a wooden barrel.

Product details
• Sturdy pint glass with family crest
• Volume: 16 oz (473 ml)
To preserve the fine detail of your printed family crest, we recommend hand-washing only. Please avoid using the dishwasher or microwave, as high heat may damage the design over time.

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