crest

Where does the word "crest" come from? It comes from Latin crista, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Crest’s story begins in Latin: crista meant “tuft, plume.” A bird's comb or crest. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as creste. A plume on a helmet. It reached English by 1300s as crest. Heraldic 'crests' followed. Today, crest means the top of a hill or wave; an emblem.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient crista "tuft, plume", a bird's comb or crest.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval creste "crest", a plume on a helmet.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s crest "plume; summit", heraldic 'crests' followed.