WEST RIDING COUNTY COUNCIL |
ARMS: Ermine a Rose Argent barbed and seeded proper and en Soleil Or on a Chief Gules three Roses of the second barbed Vert seeded Gold; the whole ensigned by a Mural Crown Or. Motto 'AUDI CONSILIUM' - Heed consel. |
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The white roses are a symbol of Yorkshire, ultimately derived from the badge of the House of York. The three roses on the red chief represent the three Ridings or "thirdings" into which Yorshire was devided. The other rose is shown en Soleil, a device adopted by the Yorkist King Edward IV, when he reached the throne after the Battle of Towton. |
BAILDON URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Vert three Chevronels and in chief a Fleece Or. Motto 'SURGAMUS ERGO STRENUE' - Let us arise with vigour. Incorporated into the City of Bradford in 1974. |
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The green field and golden fleece allude to the rearing for wool of sheep on the Baildon Moorlands. The golden fleece formed an integral part of Baildon's unofficial badge and which badge has been used for very many years. The three chevronels point to the fact that Baildon is a three-tier Town. |
BARNSLEY COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL |
ARMS: Argent on a Chevron Gules between two Shuttles fessewise in chief and in base as many Pickaxes in saltire proper a Falcon wings elevated and holding in the dexter claw a Padlock Or between two Boar's Heads couped of the last each holding in the mouth a Cross patée fitchée in pale of the first a Chief Sable thereon a Cross patée between two Covered Cups also Or. Motto 'SPECTEMUR AGENDO' - Judge us by our actions. Incorporated into the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley in 1974. |
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The two shuttles represent the linen trade, one of Barnsley's main industries in the 19th century and the crossed pick axes represent the mining industry. The falcon and padlock are taken from the arms of Joseph Locke, the eminent civil engineer who was responsible for the construction of many railways in Britain and abroad and whose widow gave the beautiful Locke Park to the town in his memory. The two boars' heads are taken from the arms of the Beckett family, bankers and merchants who had various interests in Barnsley and the surrounding areas. The cross between two covered cups represents Monk Bretton Priory, a Cluniac foundation dating from 1157, which was dissolved by Henry VIII. |
BINGLEY URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Per chevron Argent and Vert in chief two Trefoils slipped Sable and in base a Fleece Or on a Chief Gules a Millrind Gold between two Roses Argent barbed and seeded proper. Motto 'OPES INDUSTRIA PARIT' - Industry begets plenty. Incorporated into the City of Bradford in 1974. |
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The black trefoils derive from the arms of the Bingley family, previously used by the UDC. The fleece and millrind allude to the woollen and engineering industries and the white roses are for Yorkshire. |
BOWLAND RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Vert on a Pale Or between two Roses Argent barbed and seeded proper a Pale Sable thereon a Crozier Gold. Motto 'I WILL LIFT UP MINE EYES'. |
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The green background represents the Ribble Valley and the Forest of Bowland. The gold crosier recalls Sawley Abbey, indicating the important part it played in the social and economic life of the district. The white roses represent Yorkshire. |
BRADFORD CITY & COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL |
ARMS: Per pale Gules and Azure on a Chevron engrailed between three Bugle Horns stringed Or a Well Sable . Motto 'LABOR OMNIA VINCIT' - Labour overcomes all things. Incorporated into the City of Bradford in 1974. |
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The bugles recall the ancient and annual custom of blowing the horn and holding a dog on St. Martin's day in the forenoon, in the Market Place at Bradford. This commemorates part of the service which John Northrop of Manningham owed to John of Gaunt for his lands. |
BRIGHOUSE BOROUGH COUNCIL |
ARMS: Or on a Pale Sable between two Roses in chief Gules barbed and seeded proper and as many Crescents in base of the second a Lion rampant of the first. Motto 'LABORE ET PRUDENTIA' - By labour and prudence. Incorporated into the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale in 1974. |
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The Arms are derived from the crests of the Brighouse and Rastrick families who lived in the district in the seventeenth century. The gold lion and the black crescents come from the Brighouse family arms and the red roses are from the crest of the Rastrick family. It is unusual to see the inclusion of red roses on the arms of a Yorkshire Borough. |
CASTLEFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL |
ARMS: Gules on Water barry wavy in base proper a triple-towered Castle Or in chief two Roses Argent barbed and seeded proper. Motto 'AUDACTER ET SINCERE' - Boldly and frankly. Information and pictures from Wakefield Metropolitan District Council website. |
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The name of Castleford is indicated by the gold castle and the ford of white and blue waves upon the shield. The white roses indicate the situation of the town in the West Riding of Yorkshire. |
DEWSBURY COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL |
ARMS: Chequey Or and Azure on a Chief engrailed Sable a Cross patonce of the first between two Owls Argent.
Motto 'DEUS NOSTER REFUGIUM ET VIRTUS' - God is our refuge and strength. |
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The chequers are from the arms of the Earls de Warenne, the owls from the arms of the Savile family, and also appear in the arms of Leeds. The crosses represent the Copley family. |
DONCASTER COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL |
ARMS: Gules a Port between two Towers with Flags Argent the Portcullis raised Sable in chief a Saxon Crown Or. Motto 'COMFORT ET LIESSE' - Comfort and joy. |
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The arms and crest are based on unauthorised ones previously used, except that they differed by containing a Royal rather than a Saxon crown. The Saxon crown is appropriate inasmuch as in the reign of Edward the Confessor, Doncaster, then part of the Manor of Hexthorp, belonged to Earl Tostig. In the time of Henry I it passed into the royal hands. |
DONCASTER RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Per pale Sable and Vert a Fesse wavy Argent charge with another wavy Azure and surmounted by a Port between two Towers the portcullis raised proper in chief and in base a Rose of the third barbed and seeded also proper. Granted 30th October 1957. |
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The black and green background represents the district's two main industries - coal mining in the west and agriculture in the east. The white and blue waves symbolise the River Don and the castle gateway is derived from the arms of the County Borough of Doncaster, together they express the name. The white roses of course refer to the district's location in Yorkshire. |
FEATHERSTONE URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Quarterly Or and Azure a Cross quarterly Gules and Argent in the first quarter a Lion rampant Purpure in the second three Roses Argent barbed and seeded proper in the third a Garb also Argent and in the fourth a Miner's Safety Lamp also proper. Motto 'CONCILIO ET ANIMIS ' - By counsel and courage. Picture from West Riding Civic Heraldry by R. Bretton. |
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The purple lion, from the De Lacy arms, refers to the ownership of Old Featherstone by that family. The three white roses represent Yorkshire and the sheaf of corn and miner's safety lamp represent the two principal industries, agriculture and coal-mining. The only purpose of the cross is that of dividing the shield into four sections. |
GOOLE BOROUGH COUNCIL |
ARMS: Or a Lymphad sail set oars in action Sable flags flying to the dexter Gules on a Chief of the second three Swans Argent. Motto 'ADVANCE'. |
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The ship represents Goole's seafaring interests, past and present. The swans are from the arms of Selby Abbey, which was a considerable landholder inb the area before its dissolution. |
HALIFAX COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL |
ARMS: Chequy Or and Azure a Man's bearded Face affrontée [the eyes closed] surrounded by a Halo proper. Motto 'EXCEPT THE LORD KEEP THE CITY'. Incorporated into the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale in 1974. |
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The arms are based upon an unofficial device (see left), in which the face on a gold and blue chequered shield was placed between the words 'halez' and 'fax'. The 'holy face' - an allusion to the name of the town - is that of St John the Baptist, to whom the parish church is dedicated. The chequers are from the arms of the Earls Warenne who held it in Norman times.
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HARROGATE BOROUGH COUNCIL (former) |
ARMS: Quarterly Argent and Gules a Cross counterchanged between in the first and fourth quarters a Fountain proper and in the second and third a Buglehorn stringed Or on a Chief per pale of the second and Azure a Lion passant guardant of the first. Motto 'ARX CELEBRIS FONTIBUS' - A citadel famous for its springs. Incorporated into the Borough of Harrogate in 1974. |
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The heraldic fountains or roundels of wavy silver and blue bars represent Harrogate's many medicinal springs. The gold buglehorns with gold strings are from the arms of Sir William Slingsby, of Scriven Park, who discovered the first spring, the Tewitt Well, over three hundred years ago, and so was instrumental in bringing prosperity to the town. The silver lion on the red and blue chief, denotes that this fashionable Yorkshire Spa has been favoured with the visits of Royalty.
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HEMSWORTH RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Sable on a Mount in base an Oak Tree proper fructed Or on a Chief Gules a Cross couped Gold between two Roses Argent barbed and seeded also proper. Motto 'CONSTANTER ET RECTE' - Steadfastly and justly. |
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The black background is an allusion to the local coal-mining industry and the oak tree on a green mount represents the rural portions of the district, especially Brierley Common and the famous "Old Adam" oak. The white roses on red denote a situation in Yorkshire, while the gold cross represents the Wapentake of Osgoldcross being "Oswald's Gold Cross" from the ancient arms of Nostell Priory. The two roses can also be understood to have reference to the
wapentakes of Strafford and Tickhill. |
HUDDERSFIELD COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL |
ARMS: Or on a Chevron between three Rams passant Sable as many Towers Argent. Motto 'JUVAT IMPIGROS DEUS' - God aids the diligent. Incorporated into the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees in 1974. |
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The chevron and rams are suggested by the arms of the Ramsden family, baronets, who held the Manor of Huddersfield from the time of Queen Elizabeth to the year 1919. The family did much to develop the town. The towers doubtless refer to Castle Hill upon which a castle was built by King Stephen or by Ilbert de Laci, the Norman lord of the manor.
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ILKLEY URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL See Ilkley Parish Council. |
KEIGHLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL See Keighley Town Council. |
KIVETON PARK RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Quarterly Ermine and Azure on a Cross Or between in the first quarter a Cock and a Magpie combatant proper in the second quarter a Hart trippant in the third quarter a Garb of the third and in the fourth quarter an Oak Tree eradicated also proper fructed also of the third a Torteau charged with a Rose Argent barbed and seeded also proper. Motto 'CONSILIO ET ANIMIS' - By wisdom and courage. Incorporated into the Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham in 1974. |
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The quarterly shield ermine and blue with a gold cross is taken from the arms of the Osborne family, Barons Osborne of Kiveton, Earls of Danby, and Dukes of Leeds. The fighting cock and pynot (magpie) allude to the Cock and Pynot Inn on Whittington Moor, where in 1688, Thomas Osborne, Earl of Danby, his bodyguard of Kiveton men, the Earl of Devonshire, John D'Arcy of Aston, and others met to plot the overthrow of the Roman Catholic King James II and to place the Protestant Prince William of Orange on the throne. The golden hart refers to Hart Hill (formerly part of Sherwood Forest) and the golden wheatsheaf denotes the agricultural importance of the district. The oak-tree with its golden acorns represents the trysting-tree in Harthill Walk, near Todwick, immortalised by Sir Walter Scott in "Ivanhoe". The white rose on the red roundel represents the County of York.
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KNOTTINGLEY URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Azure issuant from Water barry wavy in base a Bridge of two arches proper in chief a Lacy Knot Or between two Roses Argent barbed and seeded also proper. Motto 'INDUSTRIA DIDAT' - Progress through industry. Information and pictures from Wakefield Metropolitan District Council website. |
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The water stands for the River Aire and the Knottingley-Goole canal. The bridge represents the Great North road, crossing the river at Ferrybridge. The white roses of Yorkshire represent the history of the town and the golden knot is the emblem of the De Lacy family, who once lived in this area. |
MALTBY URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Argent on a Chevron Gules between three Parrots Vert collared of the second a Mitre of the field on a Chief also Gules an open Book proper edged and bound Gold between two Roses also Argent barbed and seeded proper. Motto 'PER LABOREM SCIENTIAM ARTEM' - Through hard work, knowledge and skill. |
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The chevron with the abbot's mitre refers to Roche Abbey, its red background being the field of the family of Richard de Busli who was co-founder of the Norman abbey. The three parrots are from the arms of the Earls of Scarborough who succeeded the Viscounts Castleton as lords of the manor of Maltby in the early 18th century. The red chief, being derived from their arms, commemorates the Rollestons of Maltby Hall. The open book refers to the school founded by Viscount Castleton in 1714 and the school established by the Rev. George Rolleston in 1823. The two white roses of York representing the parishes of Maltby and Stainton, are from the arms of the West Riding County Council. |
MORLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL |
ARMS: Argent on a Fesse Gules between a Sprig of the Cotton-Tree slipped fructed and leaved proper between two Pellets in chief and a Pickaxe surmounted by a Spade in saltire in base Sable a Shuttle fessewise Or thread pendant of the first. Motto 'INDUSTRIA OMNIA VINCIT' - Industry overcomes all things. |
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The design refers entirely to local industries - wool, cotton and coal mining. |
NIDDERDALE RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Per chevron Vert and Or a Chevronel wavy per chevron wavy Argent and Azure between in chief two Garbs of the second and in base three Arrows one in pale and two in saltire points downward banded Gules on a Chief of the last an Apple slipped and leaved Gold between two Roses Argent barbed and seeded proper. Motto 'THE NOBLEST MOTIVE IS TO SERVE'. |
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The principal colours of green and gold, show the district as an agricultural one, a further indication being two golden wheatsheaves on the green. The gold base of the shield in the shape of a hill represents Claro Hill, the meeting place of the Claro Wapentake. The blue and white waves represents the Rivers Nidd and Ouse (the source of the latter is within the district). The sheaf of three red arrows stands for the Battle of Boroughbridge (1322) and also for the "Devil's Arrows", the three well-known large monoliths at Boroughbridge. The white roses denote the situation in the West Riding of Yorkshire and the golden apple between them is a reminder of the famous Ribston pippin apples. |
OSGOLDCROSS RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Vert a Cross Moline Or a Chief wavy Argent thereon on a Pale Sable between two Lions' Faces Gules a Ram's Head couped also Argent. Motto 'AMOR ANGLIAE RUSTICAE' - Love of Rural England. |
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The green background of the shield is appropriate to a rural area and the gold cross moline alludes to the name of the district. Its form is that traditionally associated with some of the Saxon Kings, and refers generally to the pre-Conquest history of Osgoldcross. It also approximates to the type of cross worn by the Knights Templars and Knights Hospitallers, and recalls the connection of these Orders with Kellington and Whitley. The cross is also intended as a reference to Selby Abbey and Monk Fryston, and to the several fine churches in the district. The wavy line of the chief represents the rivers and canals running through the district. The lions' faces are from the hereldry of Thomas of Brotherton, Earl of Norfolk and Earl Marshal of England (son of Edward I), Ilbert de Lacy and other members of the De Lacy family, and also the Earl of Rosse. Accordingly they refer to the history of Brotherton, Birkin, Womersley, Stapleton and Darrington. The ram's head alludes to the family of Ramsden of Byram Park. |
OTLEY URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL See Otley Town Council. |
PONTEFRACT BOROUGH COUNCIL |
ARMS: Per fesse wavy Sable and barruly wavy Argent and Azure a quadrangular Castle in perspective only three of its four towers being visible on the dome of each tower Argent a Flagstaff proper and flying therefrom to the sinister a Banner Gules. Motto 'POST MORTEM PATRIS PRO FILIO' - Held after the death of the Father for the Son or After the Father We are for the Son. Information and pictures from Wakefield Metropolitan District Council website. |
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The Borough of Pontefract received its Charter of Incorporation from Richard III in 1484. On a shield divided across the middle by a wavy line is a conventional representation in white of Pontefract Castle with a red banner flying from three towers. The Castle was built by Ilbert De Lacy, Lord of Pontefract in the time of William I and it became one of the mightiest fortresses in the North. The Castle was held by the Royalists during the Civil War and was destroyed by order of Parliament. The Water in the lower half of the shield presumably represents the Castle Moat, there being no river of any importance at Pontefract, even though the name of the town may be translated as "Broken Bridge". |
PUDSEY BOROUGH COUNCIL |
ARMS: Argent on a Chevron Vert between two Pairs of Shuttles saltirewise in chief and a Woolpack in base proper three Mullets pierced Or all within a Bordure engrailed Gules charged with eight Roses of the field. Motto 'BE JUST AND FEAR NOT'. |
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The chevron and pierced mullets are from the arms of the Pudsey family. The shuttles and woolpack allude to the chief local industry and the white roses are for Yorkshire. |
ROTHERHAM COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL |
ARMS: Vert above two Bars wavy in base Argent a Bridge of three arches throughout proper in chief a Mitre between two Roses of the second. Motto 'SIC VIRESCIT INDUSTRIA' - Thus industry flourishes. |
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The green background, the silver mitre, and the gold stags, are derived from the arms and insignia of Thomas of Rotherham (1423-1500), Archbishop of York, who founded Jesus College, Rotherham and built part of the Church of All Saints. The bridge, like that on the unofficial device used before the arms were granted, represents the ancient bridge at Rotherham. It also refers to the Old Southwark Bridge, built by Rotherham iromasters, and the Bailey bridge, invented by a Rotherham man. The two silver wavy bars are for the rivers Rother and Don, at the junction of which the town is situated, and the white roses indicate the county. |
ROTHERHAM RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Vert a Stag trippant Or on a Chief Sable two Swords in saltire proper hilted and pommelled Gold between as many Roses Argent barbed and seeded also proper. Motto 'INTENTO ANIMO' - With earnest mind. |
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The green background represents the ancient forest and the modern agricultural activities. The golden stag is an emblem of the forest and is also a link with the arms of the Rotherham CBC, which has two stags as supporters. The black chief with white roses suggests the South Yorkshire coalfield. The crossed swords are an emblem of the steel industry. They also appear in the arms of the Cutlers of Sheffield, for whom grindstones were provided from many of the local quarries. Thus the local coal, steel, quarrying and agriculture are all represented. |
ROYSTON URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Ermine on a Saltire Gules between in chief and in base a Bee volant and in either flank nine Ears of Wheat banded Or a Fountain on a Chief Sable a Paschal Lamb proper between two Covered Cups Argent. Motto 'FIDE ET INDUSTRIA' - By faith and industry. |
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No further information available. Any information appreciated |
SETTLE RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Per pale Or and Gules on a Mount in base a representation of the Market Cross of Giggleswick proper supported by a Lion Azure and a Lion Argent. Motto 'CAVENDO TUTUS ADVERSA SPERNO' - Secure in caution, spurn adversity. Picture thanks to Nigel Mussett via Andrew Beales. |
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The central feature is the 14th century market cross in Giggleswick, supported by two rampant lions – blue for the Percys and white for the Mowbrays. These were two of the most powerful families in medieval times and held most of the Settle area. |
SILSDEN URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL See Silsden Town Council. |
SPENBOROUGH BOROUGH COUNCIL |
ARMS: Gules a Lamb passant proper supporting a Staff Or flying therefrom a Pennon Argent charged with a Cross of the first in chief three Roses of the third barbed and seeded also proper. Motto 'INDUSTRY ENRICHES'. |
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The lamb refers to the district's woollen industry and allied trades, and the roses refer to Yorkshire. |
TADCASTER RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Per fesse Vert and Sable on a Fesse wavy Argent between in chief a Garb between two Stalks of Barley and as many Swords both in saltire and in base a representation of the Head of a Roman Centurion's Standard with the letters SPQR thunderbolt laurel wreath and eagle displayed of Gold a Bar wavy Azure over all on the fesse a Mitre Gold. Motto 'BY SERVICE LET US GOVERN'. |
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The green at the head of the shield and the gold wheatsheaf represent the district's predominantly rural character. The black of the lower half refers to the mining in its southern portion. The golden ears of barley typify the town's well-known malting and brewing industries and the two gold swords relate to Towton where the famous battle, during the Wars of the Roses, was fought in 1461 and where more than 30,000 men were slain. The white and blue wavy bars represent the River Wharfe and the gold mitre alludes to Bishopthorpe, where since the 13th Century the palace of the Archbishops of York has been. The head of a Roman centurion's standard, also in gold, indicates that Tadcaster was founded by the Romans, who gave it the name Calcaria, and it became an important outpost to the military headquarters at York. |
TODMORDEN BOROUGH COUNCIL See Todmorden Town Council. |
WAKEFIELD CITY AND COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL |
ARMS: Azure a Fleur-de-Lys Or fimbriated Ermine. Granted 3rd March 1932. Information and pictures from Wakefield Metropolitan District Council website. |
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The Arms used by the City of Wakefield have been for at least five centuries "Azure a Fleur-de-Lys Or" (a golden lily on a blue shield). These arms appear on a carved wooden boss on the Cathedral roof, which may be dated not later than 1470. Single fleur-de-lys appear on the frieze of the choir screen (1635) and also on the badge of the Wakefield Waits (1688). The Manor of Wakefield was bestowed by Edward III on his fifth son, Edmund of Langley, Duke of York, in 1347, who bore the Royal Arms of France and England. These arms thus became on all public documents the arms of Wakefield, superseding the "Checky Or and Azure" shield of the Warenne family, the former Lords of the Manor. It would seem that a kind of abridgment of these arms subsequently ensued, one golden fleur-de-lys only on an azure shield being adopted. These arms were never registered with the College of Heralds and were used without authority until in 1932 the City Council decided to apply for a formal grant of arms. This was obtained, when the former device was slightly varied by the addition of an ermine fimbriation to the fleur-de-lys. |
WETHERBY RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Argent two Bars wavy Azure on a Chief Gules a Wether passant between two Ears of Wheat slipped and leaved Or. Motto 'IMPERIUM IN IMPERIO' - A government within another. |
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The wavy blue bars represent the River Wharfe. The wether refers to the place-name, and together with the ears of wheat, to the agricultural character of the district. |
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