Over the Heart (Male)

• The most classic placement for a family crest or any tattoo of significance would be over your heart. It is a meaty and somewhat flat area, ideal for detailed tattoos. Keep in mind that the larger a tattoo is, the more detailed it can be, but that doesn't mean you need to get carried away. Usually it should be about the size of a standard credit card to adequately show detail.
  
  

Under the Heart (Female)

• Since the front of a woman's body isn't nearly as flat as a male's, a better place for the family crest tattoo would be on your back, just inside the left shoulder blade. This will ensure that the crest is still close to your heart and in a flat and somewhat meaty place. However, if you still wish to get it over your heart you may want to scale down the size of the tattoo so it wont change shape over time.
  
  

Shoulder

• The right shoulder is the more classic shoulder for significant badge-of-honor-style tattoos, but really only because most people are right-handed. In reality, the shoulder you choose doesn't make much of a difference so long as it is your dominant arm. Depending on the size of your shoulder, the family crest tattoo can be the size of a credit card or stretched to span your entire upper arm.
  
  

Forearm

• The inside or outside of your forearm is a much more difficult place to cover on a regular basis, unless you live in a cold climate. However, its visibility to the masses may serve as a statementbecome of pride and the inquiries about its significance will certainly provide a constant memory of your family line. The radius of your forearm will undoubtedly be smaller than your shoulder, so the size should be scaled down to fit appropriately. The last thing you want are curved corners on your family crest.