Plate Number: Plate 7, Crest 3 (Pl. 7. cr. 3.) Description: A square padlock.
Surnames Associated with this Crest:
- Bonney (England)
- Fakenham (England)
- Fitzralph (England)
Symbolism of the Crest:
Padlock: The padlock is a strong heraldic symbol of security, guardianship, and trust. It suggests a person or family entrusted with the safekeeping of valuable assets, secrets, or responsibilities. It can also signify discretion and the ability to keep counsel. Square: The square shape often represents stability, honesty, and firmness, suggesting a character that is “four-square” or solid in its principles. Proper: This term indicates that the padlock is depicted in its natural color, typically iron or steel.
General Symbolic Meaning:
The image of a square padlock suggests a lineage defined by reliability and duty. It implies an ancestor who may have held a position of trust, such as a treasurer, castellan, or keeper of archives, or simply one known for their unshakeable integrity and capacity to protect what is important. It conveys a message of safety and the preservation of what is right.