NORTH WARWICKSHIRE

Additions : 1974 Atherstone and part of Meriden Rural District Council

Origin/meaning :
The shield has the red field and ragged staff derived from the Warwickshire County Council arms. The two staves conjoined in saltire suggest two Warwickshire councils combined. At the top of the arms is a kestrel. These birds have flourished over Britain's motorways and here represents the extensive motorway network in the Borough. The two golden garbs came from the Atherstone seal, and also suggest two rural district councils. The sun charged with a black cogwheel is derived from the National Coal Board arms and stands for the energy production and engineering industries of the area. The red and white livery is that of Warwickshire.

The crest has charges from the arms of families historically important in the area. The white fleur-de-lis comes from the arms of Digby of coleshill. The gold and red mullets came from the Clinton family arms as borne by Maxstoke Priory. From behind them rises the silver and gold lion of the Dilkes family of Maxstoke Castle. He is gorged with a gold and red vairy collar suggesting the Ferres family of Merevale Cross Abbey. The red cross moline he holds is from the arms of the Dugdales of Merevle and Blythe Hall.

The motto used is "Govern yet obey". This is from the line "as all did govern yet obey" from the poem "Barron's Wars" by Michael Drayton of Hartshill.