TRANSVAAL
Origin/meaning:
The Transvaal colony was created in 1902 when the British annexed the Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR). The new colony did not have its own arms, but on the new official seal the wagon and lion from the republican arms were added.
The colony existed until 1910 when it became the province of Transvaal in the new South African Republic.
The new province was granted arms on 4 May 1911. The arms showed in a green field a silver wagon, see below. The wagon shown on these arms was the same as used on the seal from 1902. The wagon, however, was of a type never used by the Boers in the 1830s. This wagon also found its way in the arms of the South African Republic and was never corrected.
When the provinces were allowed to choose their own arms in 1950, the Transvaal province adopted to restore the old arms of the ZAR, but this time properly described. The new arms (shown far above) were drawn in 1951, adopted by the province in 1954 and officially granted in 1955. The arms also showed the correct wagon used by the Boers.
The province was abolished in 1995.
Literature : Brownell, 1993
coats of arms on-line ! 
