CREST, in heraldry, the uppermost part of an armoury, or that part of the cask or helmet next to the mantle. Guillim says, the crest, or cognizance, claims the highest place, being seated on the most eminent part of the helmet; yet so as to admit of an interposition of some escol, wreath, chapeau, crown, &c.
The crest is esteemed a greater mark of nobility than the armoury; being borne at tournaments, to which none were admitted till such time as they had given proof of their nobility: sometimes it serves to distinguish the several branches of a family; and it has served, on occasion, as a distinguishing badge of factions: sometimes the crest is taken for the device; but more usually is formed of some piece of the arms. Families that exchange arms do not change their crest.