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Looking for meaningful family tattoos ideas? You’ve come to the right place!
Family tattoos are a beautiful way to honor your loved ones and keep them close, no matter where life takes you. Whether you’re celebrating your bond with a delicate heart tattoo, a bold family tree, or matching constellations, there’s a design that suits your family here!
In this post, you’ll find a variety of thoughtful family tattoo ideas, from symbolic and simple to deeply personal.
Let’s find the perfect family tattoos for you!
1. Ohana tattoos
Ohana means “family” in Hawaiian, and it is such a beautiful expression of family because it means both blood family and chosen family. It was popularized by Lilo and Stitch and is such a heartwarming choice for a family tattoo.
“Ohana” is also a reminder for many that family means no one gets left behind.
2. Abstract tattoo of family
I love how abstract tattoos leave room for interpretation and personal meaning. For example, this tattoo could be a mother with two children, or a family with a baby.
For more mom tattoos, check out these beautiful motherhood tattoo ideas
3. Bird tattoo
I adore this one! Each bird represents a family member, and the placement on the shoulder feels like they’re always watching over you.
Butterfly tattoo
Butterflies are such a lovely way to symbolize transformation and growth which is perfect for symbolizing a family. This tattoo could also be easily added to with more butterflies as a family grows.
Children’s sketch
This one melts my heart! Use children’s art as the design for a family tattoo. It’s truly the most unique family tattoo because no one else will ever have the same.
Constellation tattoo
Constellation tattoos are so unique and meaningful, connecting family members under the same stars no matter where they are. I was inspired to include this as a family tattoo because of the lyrics from Fievel Goes West “It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star.”
I also love how constellations and star patterns can be personalized by picking a meaningful date and place and using how the stars looked at that moment.
Family birth timeline
Incorporating birth years of family members into a tattoo is a classic family tattoo design. Here are just two examples of what birth year tattoos as a family timeline could look like.
Family blooming tattoo
This tattoo feels so poetic and beautiful, symbolizing how families grow together. It’s such a simple but meaningful design. It could also be personalized easily by choosing a meaningful flower to your family.
Infinity tattoo
The infinity symbol is such a timeless way to show how family love is enduring. Both of these designs also add a more obvious family element to make them highlight how family is forever.
Tree blooming with hearts
This tree tattoo represents a family tree with blooming hearts. You could personalize it so that there is a heart to represent each family member. I like to think of it as a symbol for family’s deep roots like that of a solid tree.
Tree with family initials
Here’s another spin on a family tree tattoo. Here, I added family initials to the tree design to make it unique and personal.
I love this ideas as a grandparent tattoo to honor the whole family.
Need more grandparent tattoo ideas? Check out these pretty grandchildren tattoos!
Family wrist tattoo
This design feels simple yet whimsical. The style could be easily adjusted to fit any family and the little symbols could be personalized using images meaningful to your family.
Flower family tattoo
I love how simple this family tattoo is. The word family is incorporated as if it is a leaf on the flower. You could easily personalize this using your favorite flower as the base of the design.
Footprints tattoo
This small family tattoo holds big meaning. I designed it so that each footprint could be the baby footprint of children in the family, or you could be one footprint of each family member.
It can symbolize the steps we take together as a family or a reminder of the special moments of the newborn days.
Love scrabble
This one feels so playful and unique! Using Scrabble letters adds a fun, personal touch to a timeless message.
This example uses the word love, but you could also use the word “family” or use your family name in the design.
Love you tattoo
This is such a sweet and simple love tattoo that would also be lovely as a family tattoo.
Mom and baby tattoo
This design feels intimate and sweet. It perfectly captures the bond between a mother and her child.
Simple heart tattoo
Sometimes simplicity says it best – a small heart tattoo can be the perfect way to honor family.
Family birth years
Here’s another version of a birth year tattoo. I love how understated yet meaningful this is – a perfect way to honor each family member in a minimalist design.
Handprint heart tattoo
I love this tattoo design. It feels so personal and unique, turning family handprints into a heart that symbolizes love and togetherness.
Family names
I really loved this script and think it makes such a cool family names tattoo. Using family names in the tatto design is a beautiful way to carry your loved ones with you always.
Family heart tattoo
A heart tattoo is always classic, but giving it a family twist makes it even better.
Heart family tattoo
This tattoo shows a line sketch of a family in a heart. I chose a dark look for this design but you could just as easily use a heart outline instead. It’s also easily personalized to match the looks of your family members.
Heart fingerprint
Last but definitely not least, here’s a really cool design idea that would make the perfect small family tattoo. Use the thumbprint of the family members you want to honor to make a heart design. There’s no more unique tattoo than that!
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