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15 Family History Tattoos to Inspire You

These tattoos are a way to honor your past and present family members, history, and legacy
family tree tattoo
Updated: December 1, 2022

While tattoos aren’t for everyone, they’re often used as a way to honor someone, or a group of people that are closest to you. Family is something that will almost always be there for you, and many choose to honor them permanently by getting inked. 

These tattoos are a way to honor your past and present family members, history, and legacy. Here are a few of our favorites:

More: 5 Family History & Genealogy Podcasts to Listen to This Fall

Dates

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Kushal Malshetty(BABA) (@kushal_malshetty) on

Showcase how your family has grown over the years with the years each family member entered the world.

Blossom & Branches

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by the real slim cheydy (@namastchey_) on

Instead of the traditional family tree, try out a branch with cherry blossoms instead. Other beautiful options could be a dogwood, magnolia, or crabapple branches.

Portraits 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Sven Rayen (@svenrayen) on

Show off your brood of children or grandchildren or other important family members with this elaborate tree of portraits.  

Minimal Photograph

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by @cansuolga on

Highlight one of your favorite family photos permanently with a minimal sketched version of it on your body.

Anchored Down

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by José Manuel Yegres (@chematattoo) on

“Family is an anchor during choppy waters.” Honor those who keep you anchored at all times with this literal representation of the figurative message.

Circle Of Life

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Megan Shields (@megsshields) on

Honor the circle of life with this matching tattoo idea with your closest family members.

Honoring Roots

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Rebecca Lombard (@beccabexi) on

Pay tribute to your roots with a tree and grouping of roots along with the quote: “Like branches on a tree we all grow in different directions, but our roots keep us all together.”

Hands Together

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Lisa Mcintyre (@lisamci) on

Put your hands together for family! Showcase each of your family members’ hands locked together forever.

Coat Of Arms

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Black Rose Tattoo Ltd (@blackrosetattooltd) on

Honor the legacy of your family’s last name with your coat of arms.

Leaving The Nest

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Tomi Minton (@inkymittens) on

The perfect mother/daughter or father/son tattoo! Leaving the nest can be hard, but also beautiful and commemorated through getting inked with these honeybees leaving the hive.

Handwriting

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Catherine Courtlandt (@spiritworksstudio) on

One of the classic ways to honor someone who has passed on is with a tattoo of their handwriting like this ode to a mother by sisters. 

Doesn’t Fall Far From The Tree

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Charlotte Owen (@charlotteeowen) on

The apple (or in this case acorn) doesn’t fall far from the tree! 

Animal Family

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by VIVIVI (@sixvisixx) on

Use a giraffe, or any of your other favorite family of animals, to represent your family. 

Names

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Mounty Zoo tattoo (@mountyzootattoo) on

Incorporate the names of those you care about most with something symbolic like these flowers.

Guiding Compass

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by THE L'INK tattoo studio (@thelinktattoo) on

If an anchor (above) grounds us, a compass guides us, and a family does both!

Looking for more tattoo ideas? Here are 15 Meaningful Tattoo Ideas for Parents to Honor Kids.

Considering one of these ideas? Pin it to save for later:

family history tattoo idea for pinterest

Jacqueline Weiss

About Jacqueline

Based in Los Angeles, Jacqueline is a freelance writer and social media strategist. She… Read more

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