ARMS: Gules rising from Water barry wavy in base proper the Piers of a Bridge Or thereon a Castle Argent portcullis raised thereunder a Leopard's Face in chief an Estoile of eight points and a Fleur-de-Lys Gold.
CREST: On a Wreath Argent and Gules an Ancient Ship Or in full sail rigging Sable flags and pennant Argent each charged with a Cross Gules the sail also Argent charged with a Chevron between three Garbs of the second.
SUPPORTERS: On either side a Lion guardant Or each gorged with a Rope proper pendent therefrom on the dexter an Escutcheon Gules charged with two Bendlets wavy Gold and on the sinister an Escutcheon Argent charged with a Trivet Sable.

Motto 'OPES CONSILIUM PARIT' - Wisdom begets wealth.
Granted 19th Sep­tember 1952, to the Borough of Bridgwater.

The shield carries the design of the seal, which has been used for centuries. The waves of blue in the water refer particularly to the double bore of the river, and the red field may be taken as a reference to the red shield of Douai in France, whence came Walter de Douai who received the grant of the town in Norman times. The star, fleur-de-lis, and leopard's face are all royal emblems, and indicate the numerous royal charters, beginning with that of King John, which the town has received. The raised portcullis may be taken as an indication of the town's importance as a tourist centre.
The golden ship represents Bridgwater's importance as a port in many periods. The sail is decorated with the arms of Admiral Blake, a native of the town, and the black chevron and sheaves may also be considered to allude to the grain and coal traffic.
The lions are further royal emblems, the ropes at their necks allude to another local activity — the hemp industry. The two shields are those of the De Briwere and Trivet families. Bridgwater was granted to the De Briweres in the time of Henry II, and Walter de Briwere founded the Hospital of St John and built the Castle. Sir Thomas Trivet, who bore punning arms of a black trivet on white, completed the bridge over the River Parrett.

ARMS: Sable on a Chevron between in chief two Sallow Trees and in base a Teazle slipped Or a Chevron Ermine.
CREST: Out of a Saxon Crown Or a demi Dragon wings elevated and addorsed Gules supporting a Crozier Gold.

Motto 'TIME TRIETH TROTH'.
Granted 14th August 1953, to the Frome Urban District Council. Transferred by Order made 21st May 1974.

The black background is common to the arms of both the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers and the Leversedge family. From the arms of the former the ermine chevron and the teazle are taken, while the gold chevron comes from the Leversedge arms. The ermine also refers to the field of the arms of Bishop Ken. The Clothworkers' shield has on occasion been used to represent Frome on account of the great cloth industry which has characterized the town so long. The Leversedge family held the manor in Tudor times, Henry VII granting to Edmund Leversedge rights to fairs. The two sallow trees refer to Selwood "Sallow-wood" in allusion to the great forest whose name was formerly joined to Frome.
The gold Saxon crown recalls the importance of Frome as early as 934, due largely to the foundation of Bishop Aldhelm's monastery two hundred years earlier. The Saxon associations are further typified by the Wessex Dragon from the County arms and supports a gold crozier in allusion to the Abbey of Cirencester, to which the Church of St. John the Baptist was granted in 1133.

ARMS: Per Fesse Or and Argent in chief to the sinister a Setting Sun issuant Gules and in base a Lymphad also Gules on a quarter Sable a Castle of three Towers Silver.
CREST: On a Wreath Argent and Sable in front of a Lighthouse set upon a Rock a Seagull volant proper.
SUPPORTERS: On the dexter side a Lion guardant Azure collared Or pendent therefrom by a Chain also Or an Escutcheon Gules charged with a Chevron Argent between three Clarions Gold and on the sinister side a Wolf Argent collared Gules pendent therefrom by a Chain Or an Escutcheon Sable charged with a Fesse Ermine.

Motto 'EVER FORWARD'.
Granted 15th Janu­ary 1960, to the Borough of Weston-super-Mare.

Picture and information courtesy of Laurence Jones.

The current arms replaced those granted on 9th August 1928, with crest and supporters granted on 6th October 1937.

Old Arms

The sailing ship, fish, fisherman, lighthouse and seagull refer to the sea and fisheries, and the setting sun denotes the west country and the spleandour of the evening skies. The tree is for the local woodlands, and the Ancient Briton recalls the Worlebury Camp.

New Arms

The white or silver castle on a black field refers to the expression used of Weston-super-Mare "fair white city by the Severn Sea". The red sun setting against a golden field refers to the exceptionally beautiful sunsets over the sea which interested the painter J. M. W. Turner. The ancient red galley alludes to the maritime trading in bygone days of the old Port of Hubba's Pill (now Uphill).
The lighthouse standing upon a rock with a seagull in the natural colours, flying in front of it typifies a seaside resort. This refers also to a distinguishing characteristic of Flat Holm, one of the two small islands, which form a prominent feature of Weston Bay.
The blue lion is from the crest of the Smyth family, and the wolf from the crest of the Piggott family, representing the association of the Smyth-Piggott family as lords of the manor since 1696. The red shield charged with a white or silver chevron between three golden clarions are the arms of the Arthur family, and black shield charged with a bar charged with ermine spots of black are the arms of the Winter family. These Arthur and Winter shields denote prior lords from 1216. The five white billets at the foot of the shield refer to Weston Woods encompassing an Ancient British hill fort.