David, Actually this was rather fun. Gerry Hook was correct when stating that you would need to know which clan or sept your Carrolls descended from in order to pick the correct Carroll crest. If you can narrow down the county in Ireland your family originated, you would be able to make an educated guess as to which clan they belonged to. I commend you for your strong loyalty to your Irish roots, and wish you luck with not only finding the correct crest, but also that tattoo!! Happy July 4th!! Linda Carroll Bifulco ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Kinney" <dkinney@harriscomputer.com> To: <CARROLL-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2001 10:01 AM Subject: Re: [CARROLL] Crests - Authority, Use, and Creation > I want to thank everone who offered help and advice in my search for the > Carroll crest. I understand the "official" take on the use of a crest, but I > am simply searching for a representative crest of the Carroll's of Ireland, > not so much for some exact and provable historical significance, but merely > as yet another way to enforce the strong link I feel with my Irish > ancestors. > > Everyone's help and advice was very useful. > > Slainte, > > David > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <CarrollMS@aol.com> > To: <CARROLL-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2001 6:20 AM > Subject: [CARROLL] Crests - Authority, Use, and Creation > > > > In my experience and discussions with those knowledgeable of family crests > > there are three things that might be relevant to one choosing to use a > crest. > > > > 1. There is a custom in Ireland that says that anyone may use the accepted > > crest of their last name. Current Irish rule is that you can use the > crest: > > "Edward MacLysaght, former Chief Herald of Ireland, in his book. Irish > > Families (1957) stated the position is, Arms shown in Part III, of the > book, > > may be displayed without impropriety, of the Sept if that person really > does > > belong to the Sept. The Clan Cian chief advises that any person desiring > to > > bear Arms apply for a Letter of Confirmation from the Irish heraldry. See > > http://www.clancian-carroll.com/ > > > > 2. In America we have no noble class. Heraldry in America is a choice of > > each individual. One can create their own if they so desire. > > > > > > > > > > >