Plural of crest; the highest points of something, such as mountains, waves, or helmets, or the distinctive marks of families or organizations.
From Old French creste, from Latin crista (tuft, comb), with the plural marking multiple peaks or emblems.
Family crests started as ways to identify knights in armor—since you couldn't see their faces, symbols on their shields and helmets told you who was who in the chaos of medieval battles!
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