The largest heraldry site on the net, with presently coats of arms on-line !

Civic Heraldry of the United Kingdom England

REIGATE AND BANSTEAD

Additions : 1974 Banstead, Reigate

Origin/meaning :
The arms were granted on May 30, 1975.
The arms are a combination of elements from the arms of former councils. The blue and gold chequered field is derived from the de Warenne family, Earls of Surrey and Lords of Reigate. The gate and oak tree are derived from the old arms of Reigate.
The chief is also taken from the Reigate arms, but charged with the devise of the arms of Banstead, the woolpack. The woolpack refers to the former importance of sheep-rearing and the wool industry in the city. The two oak branches refer to the parishes of Horley and Salfords and Sidlow.
The mantling is again derived from the de Warenne arms, the crest is derived from one of the supporters of the Reigate arms, a pilgim.
The supporters are derived from the arms of the Earls of Surrey. The lion was also the crest of the Reigate arms, and referred to the Lords Howard of Effingham, later Lords of Reigate. The lion also was used by the Mowbray family, Lords of Banstead in the 12^th century. The horse is also a symbol for the horse-racing tradition in Banstead in the 17^th century. To distinguish the supporters from the Surrey supporters, they each wear a wreath in the colours of the mantling. The two supporters each wear a fountain, symbolising the River Mole. The tanner's knife on the right supporter is the symbol for St. Bartholomew, patron saint of Horley. The sallow-leaf on the left supporter is a canting symbol for Salfords (derived from Sallow ford).

Literature : Leaflet published by and send to me by the Reigate and Banstead council

Home © Ralf Hartemink 1996, ->

See also my other sites Food-Info.net and Food Dictionary