It’s primarily used to enhance the appearance of the hardware and to cover any gaps between the hardware and the surface it’s mounted on.

The term “escutcheon” originally stems from heraldry, where it describes a shield-shaped symbol showcasing a family’s coat of arms. This term was later applied to the protective plates encasing keyholes and similar openings, likely because of their resemblance to shields. Derived from the Old French word “escusson,” meaning “little shield,” the term “escutcheon” reflects both its shape and its historical association with shields.