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Civic Heraldry of the United Kingdom England

RUGBY

Additions : 1974 Rugby (RDC)

Origin/meaning :
Rugby was originally granted arms on September 27, 1932, see image below. Following the enlargement of the Borough in 1974, the arms were regranted in an altered form in 1976. Many of the charges in the shield and crest (griffins' heads, rose, lion's gambs, date branches) are taken from the arms of Lawrence Sherriff, Elizabethan grocer and native of Rugby. The rose is placed on a gold bezant or coin, suggesting the commercial activities of Mr. Sherriff. At the bottom of the shield is the bear and ragged staff from the arms of Warwickshire County Council. In 1976 a green bordure was added to suggest the rural district added to the town. This is charged with eight bezants one for every five of the forty parishes added to the town in 1974.

The crest features a thunderbolt, for the town's electrical industry. In 1976 a black wheel was added to the crest for heraldic difference, and represents the mechanical industry.

Until 1974 the town's motto was FLOREAT RUGBEIA or May Rugby Flourish. The 1976 arms have an altered motto - FLOREAT RUGBEIA MAIOR or May Greater Rugby Flourish.

Literature : Information provided by Laurence Jones

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