South Yorkshire

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

SOUTH YORKSHIRE

Additions : 1974 Yorkshire - West Riding (partly)
Formally abolished in 1986, but a ceremonial county

Official blazon

Arms : Sable a Pile throughout barry dancetty Argent and Gules over all a Pile reversed throughout counterchanged in the Sable a Rose Argent barbed and seeded proper between two like Roses dimidiated and issuing from the flanks.
Crest : Issuant from a Mural Crown Gules a Rose Argent barbed and seeded proper dimidiating a Bezant.
Supporters : Dexter a Horse guardant Or crined and unguled Sable supporting with the dexter forehoof a Hoe Gules sinister a Lion guardant Sable maned Or supporting a Miner's Pick-Axe Gules.
Motto : 'EACH SHALL STRIVE FOR THE WELFARE OF ALL'

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on ??-??-1978.

The armorial bearings of South Yorkshire County Council cast a colourful light on the area's traditions and economy. The black diamonds on the shield call to mind the mining industry and the zig-zag pattern, coloured red and white alludes to the heat processing of steel. The white rose of York appears in the arms and is repeated in the crest, here united with a gold coin which symbolises the riches of South Yorkshire - moral, intellectual and commercial.

The crest rises from a mural crown, sign of civic authority.

Local interests are reflected by the beasts that support the shield. The horse with the hoe is emblematic of agriculture and the black lion grasping the pick-axe represents the strength and courage of the miner. Both implements are coloured red to remind us that the County's natural riches must sometimes be bought with blood.

Literature : Image and information provided by Laurence Jones.