Crest

In heraldry, a crest is a component of a coat of arms. It is a figure, often but not always a beast of some kind, depicted atop the helmet placed above the shield.

Some armigers used their crest as a personal badge, which led to the inaccurate use of the word "crest" to describe a shield or full coat of arms.

See also

Shield -- Mantling -- Supporters -- Compartment -- Motto