LANCASTER
Additions : 1974 Carnforth, Lancaster RDC, Lunesdale, Morecambe & Heysham
Origin/meaning :
The fleurs-de-lis and lion were part of the old arms of the city, and are themselves derived from the arms of the Duchy of Lancaster. The silver wave is for the River Lune and the wavy chief for Morecambe Bay.
The five red roses in the crest stand for five Lancashire councils combined. The fishing boat was the crest of Morecambe.
The supporters are similar to those used by the previous city council. They are differenced by a castle for Lancaster and a wheel for Carnforth, an important railway town. Each lion stands on a garb for the two Rural District Councils.
The motto "Luck to Loyne" was used by the previous City Council. Loyne is an old name for the River Lune.
Previously the city used the arms below:
These arms were granted on July 19th (shield) and 20th (supporters and crest), 1907.
The arms are suggested by the arms and badge of Edmund, first Earl of Lancaster (son of Henry III), who bore the royal lions of England with a label of France (i.e. a blue label chaged with gold fleurs-de-lis). He was first among English princes to use as a badge a red rose, derived from the golden rose which his mother, Eleanor of Provence, introduced into our royal heraldry.
The 'Loyne' in the motto is a form of Lune, the river from which the town takes its name. The Latin form was 'Alauna', derived from Gaelic 'al-aon', meaning 'white river'.
Lancaster, Massachusetts on the River Nashua, bears similar arms with the motto, Ad Alaunam ad Nashuam.
Literature : Image and information provided by Laurence Jones.
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coats of arms on-line ! 
