WIGAN
Additions : 1974 Abram, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Aspull, Atherton, Billinge & Winstanley (partly), Golborne (partly), Hindley, Ince-in-Makerfield, Leigh, Orrell, Standish-with-Langtree, Tyldesley, Wigan RDC (partly)
Origin/meaning :
The black lozenges allude to coal mining and reflect the arms of Atherton UDC, Golborne UDC and Hindley UDC. The red roses refer to the County of Lancashire, Golborne and Hindley UDCs. The gold lion couchant is taken from the crest of the Borough of Wigan (see below) and features in one of the ancient seals of that borough.
The crowned castle is taken from the shield of the Borough of Wigan, the castle and crown are elements from one of the borough's medieval seals. The mountain ash or Wiggin Tree is chosen as a pun on the name of the district. Branches of this tree are borne by the supporters in the Arms of the Borough of Wigan and the tree features in many of the borough's medieval seals.
The dexter supporter is taken from the achievement of the Borough of Wigan. The lion here wears a crown of the type which features in the crest. The sparrowhawk occurs in the Arms of the Borough of Leigh and in the crest of the Atherton UDC.
The Motto - Progress with Unity, is an apt one for an authority which embraces 14 former districts.
Previously Wigan Borough used the following arms.
Wigan's old arms were granted on April 28, 1922, but were based on earlier seals and devices.
The crowned castle, king's head and couchant lion all come from ancient seals.
The supporters are royal lions, made distinctive by holding branches of the rowan or Wiggin tree, a pun on the town's name.
The motto - ANCIENT AND LOYAL - refers to the antiquity and history of the Borough.
Literature : Image and information provided by Laurence Jones.
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coats of arms on-line ! 
