a demi-griffon issuing from a tower

The crest on Plate 9, Image 11 (Pl. 9. cr. 11.) is described as a demi-griffon issuing from a tower (or variations thereof, including a mascle and an arm in armour).

Surnames:  Out of a tower a demi-griffon, proper

  • Bylney (Norfolk) 
  • Connel (Ireland)
  • Connell (Ireland) 
  • Halpin (Ireland) 
  • Kerdiston (England) 
  • Laxton (England) 
  • Luckin (Malden, Deverell, Essex) 
  • Luckin (Waltham, Essex) 
  • Neale (England) 
  • Tassie (Scotland) 
  • Tassie (England) 
  • Whorwood (England) 

Symbolism Demi-Griffon: The griffon (or gryphon) is a mythical creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion, combining the swiftness and keen vision of the former with the strength and courage of the latter; it is a classic symbol of vigilance, valour, and the guardian of treasure. Tower: The tower signifies safety, grandeur, and defense, often granted to those who have faithfully held a fortress or defended their sovereign’s territory. Mural Crown (implied in some variations): Often associated with the tower, this represents military fortitude and the capture or defense of a walled city.

General Symbolic Meaning The combination of the fortified tower and the mythical griffon suggests a lineage characterized by high vigilance and defensive strength. It implies a family history of protecting valuable assets, homes, or territories, combining the lion’s bravery on land with the eagle’s swiftness and vision, signifying a protector who is both watchful and formidable in the face of danger.