The crest on Plate 10, Image 9 (Pl. 10. cr. 9.) is described variously as a dexter hand holding a cross croslet fitched in pale.
- Crome (Ireland)
- Lamprey (Ireland)
- Tailor (England)
- Tuile (Ireland) Symbolism of the Crest
Hand (Dexter Hand): The hand is a pledge of faith, sincerity, and justice; when open, it signifies liberality, but grasping an object, it emphasizes the strength and capability to maintain what is held. Cross Crosslet Fitched: This specific cross is pointed at the base (“fitched”), allowing it to be stuck into the ground. Historically, this is associated with the Crusades or pilgrims who carried such crosses to plant them in the ground for daily devotions. It symbolizes unshakeable faith, pious endurance, and the “sword of the spirit.”
General Symbolic Meanings
The primary motif of this crest—the hand holding the fitched cross—represents a powerful combination of action and belief. It suggests a lineage that is not only religiously devout but actively defends that faith. The pointed cross implies a readiness to set down roots or stand firm in one’s convictions wherever one may be, evoking the spirit of a pilgrim-warrior or a determined defender of the truth.