PORT TALBOT
Additions : 1921 Aberavon and Margam ; 1974 Glyncorrwg
Incorporated into : 1996 Neath and Port Talbot
Origin/meaning :
In 1974 the borough was renamed Afan. In 1986 the name Port Talbot was resumed.
The arms were granted in 1953.
The three chevronels argent, being the arms ascribed to the Iestyn family, have reference to the conferring of the original franchise by Caradoc ap lestyn (1079-1148). This family were the Lords of Avan at the time of the Norman Conquest of Wales, following which the only Welsh Lordship having access to the sea was that of Avan. This Lordship, with its hinterland, was held by the senior descendant of Iestyn.
The three Clarions Or, are the arms generally attributed to Robert Consul and William Earl of Gloucester (his son). Robert (the natural son of Henry I, who died in 1147), in granting the foundation Charter of Margam Abbey, gave all the lands between the Kenfig and Avan rivers to the Monks of Clairvaux, which Charter was confirmed by his son, William, who was a benefactor of Margam Abbey.
The motto adopted for the Borough Arms is "Duwioldeb" - "Diwydrwydd" meaning "Godliness" and "Industry".
Literature : Image and information provided by Laurence Jones (laurencejones@eircom.net)
coats of arms on-line ! 
