We’ve all heard the warning from people who say that it is a bad idea to get someone’s name tattooed on your body. If you’re in a relationship, and it goes sour, but you have her name tattooed on your chest, you’ll probably be looking to have it covered up or removed.

However, when that name is your own, not only is it appropriate, it is a show of respect and honor for your ancestors before you.

There are many locations on a body that one might consider having a last name tattoo, but the most common places are the back, chest, and stomach. You can go big and tattoo your last name for all the world to see, or keep it small and discreet. While it seems like there will be little creative license with a last name tattoo, that simply isn’t the case.

One of the most difficult decisions you will have to make, after deciding where you want to put it and how big it will be, is what font you will use for it. There are literally thousands of fonts out there that will give your name a personalized look. You can give it a hard-core look with an old English font, or go with something more fun and whimsical.

If you want to add to it, you may even consider including your family crest or other symbols that will memorialize your family.