Mottoes
Heraldry of the World The main resource for civic heraldry since 1996 with 294,957 images |
MOTTOES USED IN CIVIC HERALDRY
Mottoes are very common in the British-style heraldry (UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand), and much less common in other countries. Therefore the large majority of the mottoes listed here are from towns and councils in the British heraldic region.
As this page got too large, mottoes in the following languages are separated :
If you see a motto on the site that is not yet listed here or have any other addition, please mail me !
Only true mottoes are listed here, no town names in banners around the arms.
The mottoes are listed by language and sorted by first letter. For clarity no capital letters are used, except the first letter as well as personal or town names. A translation in English is provided when available.
Mottoes in African languages
Mottoes with any African language as the original language. For Afrikaans, see Dutch, for Malagasy, see below.
Motto | Language | Translation in English | Used by |
! gai uiba gisenba | ? | Nama Khoi | |
!ke e:/xarra//ke | Khoisan | Diverse people unite | South Africa |
sa k//?a: !a1si ?u1si | Auni | Strive for a better life | Northern Cape |
Elimu tiba utafiti | Swahili | Medicine education research | Muhimbili University |
Harambee | Swahili | Synergy | Kenya |
Imbumba yamanyama | Xhosa | Unity is strength | Transkei |
Inqubekela phambili ngobuqotho | Zulu | Service delivery with integrity | Zululand |
Kathleho ka kopano | ? | Free State | |
Khotso pula nala | Sotho | Peace, rain, prosperity | Lesotho |
Kutiina mukama niyo nsibuko y’amagezi | Nyoro | For God and my country | Kingdom of Bunyoro-Kitara |
Luyemi Hamoho | Lozi | East Caprivi | |
Masisukume sakhe | Zulu | Let us rise and built | KwaZulu-Natal |
Naboisho ang, engolon ang | Maasai (?) | Our unity, our strength | Kajiado county |
Natulenge juu | ? | ? | Starehe Boys' Centre and School |
'Nete ke thebe | sotho | Truth is the shield or the truth will set you free | National University of Lesotho |
Pamberi nekushandira pamwe | Shona | Marching forward in co-operation | Chitungwiza |
Pamberi nekushandira vanhu | Shona | Forward with service to the people | Harare |
Popa popa e a popela | Tswana | He who builds, builds for himself | Tswanaland |
Pula | Setswana | Rain | Botswana |
Si ye pambili | Sindebele | Let us go forward | Bulawayo |
Siyakunqandwa ziinkwenkwezi | Xhosa | We will be stopped by the stars | Ciskei |
Sonqoba simunye | Zulu | We will overcome (or triumph) together; we are one. | KwaZulu |
Syinqaba | Swati | We are a fortress | Swaziland |
Thuto ke thebe | Setswana | University of Botswana | |
Tunga nombili | Oshiwambo | Owamboland | |
Ubumwe – umurimo – gukunda ighihugu | Kinyarwanda | Unity, work, patriotism | Rwanda |
Yinkhaba | Swati | Manzini |
Mottoes in Baltic languages
Mottoes with any Baltic language as the original language.
Motto | Language | Translation in English | Used by |
Tēvu zemes mīlestību / Mēs ar darbiem rādīsim | Latvian | Valmiera gymnasium | |
Visu par Latviju! | Latvian | All for Latvia | Latvian Air Force |
Mottoes in Celtic languages
Mottoes with Gaelic (Irish), Breton or Cornish as the original language. For Welsh, see below.
Motto | Translation in English | Language | Used by |
A lore burne | To the lower burn | Scottish | Dumfries |
Ag Seo Ár gCúram | This we hold in trust | Irish | South Dublin |
Agm baile nach teid air agaidh, theid e air ais | He who does not progress retrogresses | Scottish Gaelic | Lismore (NSW) |
Beart do réir ár mbriathar | Action according to our word | Irish | Dublin (county) |
Cairdeas trí Pháirtíocht | Irish | Mountmellick | |
Criss fírinne immib | Irish | Saint Killian's Community School | |
Cuim air adhart comhla | Moving forward together | Scottish | East Dunbartonshire |
Daingean agus dílis | Irish | Longford (county) | |
Dilis d'ar noidhreacht | True to our heritage | Irish | Clare (county) |
Fáilte agus féile | Irish | Castleblayney | |
Feor magh eanagh | Irish | Fermanagh (county) | |
Flúirse, féile, fáilte | Irish | Granard | |
Flúirse talaimh is mara | Abundance of land and sea | Irish | Fingal |
Foghlaim is fírinne | Irish | Cashel Community School | |
Gniomhach idir carraig is cruacha | Active between rock and mountain peaks | Irish | Greystones |
I báirt leis an bpobal | Together with the people | Irish | Laois (county) |
Is fearr comhairle na comhrac | Irish | Carrickmacross | |
Kaër é mem bro | Breton | Locmariaquer | |
Kensa ha dewetha | First and last | Cornish | Penwith |
Léim ar aghaid | Irish | Leixlip | |
Mar is toil le dia | Irish | Holy Cross Abbey, Ireland | |
Meanma agus misneach | Irish | Kildare (county) | |
Ó Chuan go Sliabh | From harbor to mountain | Irish | Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown |
Parthas Éireann | Irish | Buncrana | |
Rísam uile | Irish | Cork Institute of Technology | |
Ro an mor | Gift from the sea | Cornish | Newquay |
Ro an mor hag an tyr | From the sea and from the land | Cornish | Restormel |
Seasaigí go buan | Let us stand for ever | Irish | Fermoy |
Tuath Thuama go buan | Irish | Tuam | |
Uimhir gan choisc | The irrepressible number | Irish | Muine Bheag |
Unanet e vimp kreñv | United we are stronger | Breton | Quimper |
Urram | Respect | Scottish | Glen High School |
War zao atao | Always beginning | Breton | Lannion |
Mottoes in Dutch or Afrikaans
Mottoes with Dutch or Afrikaans as the original language.
Motto | Translation in English | Used by |
Altijd waakzaam | Always watchful | 711th Squadron, Netherlands Air Force |
Bron von kracht | Source of strength | Technical Training Royal Navy, Netherlands Navy |
Door de eeuwen trouw | Loyal through the centuries | Amboina |
Dispereert niet (also Ende dispereert niet) | Batavia | |
Doelbewust en trefzeker | 302nd Squadron, Netherlands Air Force | |
Dynamiek in logistiek | Dynamic in logisitcs | 901st Squadron, Netherlands Air Force |
Eendragt maakt magt | Unity makes power | Transvaal Province, Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek |
Geloof en moed | Faith and courage | Omaruru |
Glo en dien | Believe and service | Hoërskool_Zwartkop |
Glo en werk | Believe and labour | Montana High School |
Handhaaf en bou | Maintain and build | Despatch |
Heldhaftig - vastberaden - barmhartig | Heroic - Determined - Merciful | Amsterdam |
Ik weersta elke storm | I withstand every storm | Naval Barracks Suffisant, Curaçao, Netherlands Navy |
Ik zal voor gaan | I shall go first | Zr.Ms. Dolfijn, Netherlands Navy |
In trouwen vast | Mechelen | |
Jahweh is mijn god | Jahweh is my god | Basiliek van de H. Petrus te Boxmeer |
Laat daar lig wees | Let there be light | Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool |
Lernen te dienen | Learn to serve | Logistics School Royal Navy, Netherlands Navy |
Klein maar dapper | Small but brave | Zr.Ms. Brunvis, Netherlands Navy |
Kracht door kunde | Strength trough skill | Dutch-Belgian Operational School, Netherlands Navy |
Niet praten maar doen | 322nd Squadron, Netherlands Air Force | |
Niet zonder arbyt | Not without labour | Chesterton, South Cambridgeshire |
Op prooi belust | Eager for prey | Zr.Ms. Zeeleuw, Netherlands Navy |
Optimaal ondersteunend | 922nd Squadron, Netherlands Air Force | |
Ik zal voor gaan | I shall go first | Zr.Ms. Dolfijn, Netherlands Navy |
Paraat voor vrijheid | Prepared for freedom | 1st Marine Combat Group, Marine Corps, Netherlands Navy |
Preservering door preventie | Preserving through prevention | Naval Firefigthing Corps, Netherlands Navy |
Resultaat door onderhoud | Result through support | 900th Squadron, Netherlands Air Force |
Scherpgetand | Sharptoothed | 313th Squadron, Netherlands Air Force |
Steds waakzaam | Ever vigilant | 2nd Marine Combat Group, Marine Corps, Netherlands Navy |
Sterk door eendracht | Strong through unity | Surface Assault and Training Group (SATG), Netherlands Navy |
Sterker door strijd | Stronger through battle | Rotterdam, Zr.Ms. Rotterdam, Netherlands Navy |
Tand om tand | Tooth for tooth | Zr.Ms. Walrus, Netherlands Navy |
Trou aan ons eie | Loyal to ourselves | Laerskool Bakenkop |
Trouw en liefde | Loyalty and love | Gent |
Verdienstelijk en bekwaam | 920th Squadron, Netherlands Air Force, 921st Squadron, Netherlands Air Force | |
Veerkracht en daadkracht | 930th Squadron, Netherlands Air Force | |
Vervul jou roeping | Answer your calling | Laerskool Proteapark |
Volhard en oorwin | Otavi | |
Vooruitgang deur volharding | Progress through perseverance | Karasburg |
Vrede en recht | Peace and Justice | 's Gravenhage/The Hague |
Vrijheid eist waakzaamheid | Freedom is wachtfulness | 640th Squadron, Netherlands Air Force |
Waakzaam en vasthoudend | 931st Squadron, Netherlands Air Force |
Mottoes in French
Mottoes with French as the original language.
Motto | Translation in English | Used by |
Absit invidia | Let there be no ill-will | Limavady |
Amour de la patrie | Love of the motherland | Perwez |
Archez bien | 3rd Reconnaissance Group, USAAF | |
Au plus pres | 2nd Infantry Regiment, French Army | |
Avant garde | Vanguard | Havant |
Beau sejour | Have a beautiful stay | Budleigh Salterton |
Comme il se droit | As it should be | Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Canada |
De bon cuor | Walton-le-Dale | |
Defendez le saguenay | Defende the saguenay | Canadian Forces Base Bagotville, Canada |
Je maintendrai | I shall maintain | Netherlands, Hofstra University |
Le jour viendra | The day will come | Lambton |
L’entraide dans la charité | Mutual assistance in charity | Saint-Martin (Quebec) |
L’union fait la force | Unity is strenght | Sint-Joost-ten-Node |
Je me souviens | I remember | Quebec, Royal 22e Regiment, Canadian Army |
Je suis prest | Littoral Combat Ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS-10) | |
Non sanz droict | Not without right (Norman French) | Warwickshire |
Nous resterons la | 3rd Infantry Division Marne Division, US Army | |
Nous sommes prêts | Ready to act | Fareham |
On ne releve pas picardie | 1st Infantry Regiment, French Army | |
Prest a faire | Ready to act | Fareham |
Prest pour nostre pays | Ready for our country | Welton |
Qui cherche trouvé | Whoever seeks shall find | La Trobe University |
Sans dieu rien | Without God nothing | Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Wanganui |
Sauver oui périr | Fire Brigade of Paris, French Army | |
Sur terre et sur mer, Berthier toujours plus fier | By sea and by land, Berthier always prouder | Berthier-sur-Mer |
Toujours au danger | 17th Bombardment Group (later Wing), USAAF | |
Toujours prêt | Clanwilliam | |
Travail – liberté - patrie | Work – librty - fatherland | Togo |
Un people – un but – une foi | One people – one goal – one faith | Senegal |
Ung par tout – tout par ung | Southampton (Bermuda) | |
Union – travail - justice | Union – labour - justice | Gabon |
Unité – dignité - travail | Unity – dignity - labour | Central African Republic |
Unité – travail - progress | Unity – labour - progress | Burundi, Chad, Congo (Brazzaville) |
Vert et vieux | Green and old | Verviers |
Mottoes in Frisian
Mottoes with Frisian as the original language.
Motto | Translation in English | Used by |
In doarp riist ut 'e puollen | De Tynje |
Mottoes in German
Mottoes with German as the original language.
Motto | Translation in English | Used by |
Folgen sie unseren fusspuren! | Follow in our footsteps! | Dock Landing Ship USS Germantown (LSD-42) |
Glück auf | Good luck | Tsumeb
|
Mottoes in Greek
Mottoes with ancient or modern Greek as the original language.
Motto | Translation in English | Used by |
ΑΙΕΝ ΑΡΣΤΕΥΕΙΝ | Ever to excel | National Defence General Staff, Grecce |
ΑΙΕΝ ΥΨΙΚΡΑΤΕΙΝ | Always dominate the heights | Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Greek Air Force |
ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΟΝ ΤΟ ΕΥΨΥΧΟΝ | Freedom stems from valour | Hellenic Army General Staff, Greek Army |
ΜΕΓΑ ΤΟ ΤΗΣ ΘΑΛΑΣΣΗΣ ΚΡΑΤΟΣ (Méga to ti̱s thalássi̱s krátos) | The rule of the sea is indeed a great matter | Hellenic Navy General Staff, Greek Navy |
ΘΑΛΑΣΣΑ ΚΛΥΖΕΙ ΠΑΝΤΑ ΤΑΝΘΡΩΠΩΝ ΚΑΚΑ | Tenby |
Mottoes in Indonesian
Mottoes with Bahasa Indonesia or any other native language in Indonesia as the original language.
Motto | Translation in English | Used by |
Bhinneka tunggal Ika | Unity in diversity | Indonesia |
Gemah ripah loh jinawi | Cirebon | |
Gemah ripah repeh rapih | Richness for all and living in harmony | Jawa Barat |
Gemah ripah wibawa mukti | Bandung | |
Jer basuki mawa bea | Achievements are only won through sacrifice | Jawa Timur |
Karya swadaya | On own power | Papua |
Sekali layar terkembang pantang biduksurut ke pantai. | Makassar Papua]] | |
Soerâ-ing-bâjâ | Virtue in battle | Surabaya |
Mottoes in Malagasy
Mottoes with Malagasy as the original language.
Motto | Translation in English | Used by |
Asa filamnaha fahasambarana | Morondava | |
Asa fa tsy kabary | Mananjary | |
Azanahary tsy mitany ny vaka | Antsiranana | |
Betsimisaraka tsy misara – draha magnano | Fenoarivo Atsinanana | |
Fanjaiysy noreky taretsy | Antsohihy | |
Fiaraha miasa no hery | Maintirano | |
Fiherenana no naha toly ary | Tulear | |
Ho velona fa tsy ho levona | Mahajanga | |
Izay mitambatra vato | Ambatondrazaka | |
Lakana tsara voha manafak’ onja | Toamasina | |
Nosy magnitry | Nosy Be | |
Ny asa no harena | Antalaha | |
Ny toky fitaka fa ny ata ro hita | Ambalavao | |
Rano masina rano manoro | Antsirabe | |
Soa fianatsa ro mahovokatsa | Fianarantsoa |
Mottoes in Old Norse
Mottoes with Old Norse as the original language.
Motto | Translation in English | Used by |
Með lögum skal land byggja | By law shall the land be built up | Zetland, Shetland Islands |
Mottoes in Polynesian languages
Mottoes with any Polynesian language as the original language.
Motto | Langauge | Translation in English | Used by |
Long God yumi stanap | Bislama | In God we stand | Vanuatu |
Rerevaka na kalou ka doka na Tui | Fijian | Fear God and honour the King | Fiji |
Tatou tatou | Maori | Rotorua | |
Te mauri, te raoi ao te tabomoa' | Gilbertese | Kiribati | |
Te pai me te whairawa | Maori | Waitakere | |
Tokelau mo te Atua | Tokelauan | Tokelau for God | Tokelau |
Tuituia mai tatou | Maori | Let us all be united | Birkenhead (New Zealand) |
Tuvalu mo te Atua | Tuvalan | Tuvalu for God | Tokelau |
Mottoes in Portuguese
Mottoes with Portuguese as the original language.
Motto | Translation in English | Used by |
Constante e fiel | Constant and loyal | Military Region of Angola, Portuguese Army |
Coragem e lealdade | Courage and loyalty | Independent Territorial Command of Guine, Portuguese Army |
Dilatando a fee, o imperio (old motto) | Military Region Center, Portuguese Army | |
Em perigos e guerras esforçados | Portuguese Army | |
Ev seja o deanteiro | Military Region of Tomar, Portuguese Army | |
Honra e bravura | Honour and bravery | Military Region North, Portuguese Army |
Honra valor e fama | Army Geospatial Information Center, Portuguese Army | |
Mui nobre e sempre leal cidade de Lisboa | Much noble and always loyal city of Lisbon | Lisboa |
O sol logo em nascendo vê primeiro | Dili | |
Pela fé e pela pátria | For the faith and the fatherland | Independent Territorial Command of Cabo Verde, Portuguese Army |
Pela honra e pela pátria | For honour and the fatherland | Independent Territorial Command of Madeira, Portuguese Army |
Portugal e São Jorge | Portugal and Saint George | Portuguese Army |
Sempre e prontos | Always and fast | Independent Territorial Command of Azores, Portuguese Army |
Terra prodígio | Iacri | |
Um por todos todos por um | One for all and all for one | Military College, Portuguese Army |
Unidade, disciplina, trabalho | Unity, discipline, labour | São Tomé e Príncipe |
Vigiláncia e fidelidade | Vigilance and fidelity | Military Region South, Portuguese Army |
Mottoes in Spanish
Mottoes with Spanish as the original language.
Motto | Translation in English | Used by |
Ciencia al servicio del hombre | Science in the service of man | Meteorological Service, Air Force of Venezuela |
Con este palo me basto | Ceuta General Command, Spanish Army | |
Cuna del descubrimiento | Palos de la Frontera | |
Dios, unión, libertad | God, union, liberty | El Salvador |
Especiales en la guerra y en la paz | Specialists in war and in peace | Special Operations Air Group No 15, Air Force of Venezuela |
Lealtatem | Loyalty | Presidental Air Group No 4, Air Force of Venezuela |
Libertad y soberania | Liberty and sovereignty | Air Transport Group No 9, Air Force of Venezuela |
Lucha y vence entre dos ríos | Palma del Río | |
Más vale honra sin barcos ... | Frigate Méndez Nuñez, Spanish Navy | |
Paso honroso | Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Spanish Air Force | |
Rey servido y patria honorada | Serve the king and honour the fatherland | Frigate Álvaro de Bazán, Spanish Navy |
Segura tiene la palma | Naval Command of Las Palmas, Spanish Navy | |
Sobre todo ¡España! | Frigate Almirante Juan de Borbón, Spanish Navy | |
Unidad, paz, justicia | Unity, peace, justice | Equatorial Guinea |
Vencer o morir | Win or die | Air Force of Paraguay, Navy of Paraguay |
Mottoes in Welsh
Mottoes with Welsh as the original language.
Motto | Translation in English | Used by |
A ddioddefws a orfu | He who suffered, conquered | Glamorgan, Mid Glamorgan |
A fynno Duw a fydd | Cowbridge RDC | |
A vo penn bit pont | He who will be chief, let him be a bridge | Bridgend |
Amser yw'n golud | Ystradgynlais | |
Awn rhagom | Cowbridge | |
Cadarn pob cyfiawn | The just are strong | West Glamorgan |
Cadernid cyfiawndr cynndd | Stability, justice, progress | Barry |
Canmol dy fro a thrig yno | Commend thy locality and dwell therein | Brecon |
Cyfoeth cymdeithas: cymuned | A society's wealth is its community | Llanelli |
Cynyddaf a llawenychaf | I grow and I rejoice | Prestatyn |
Dawn gorau dyngarwch | A nation's wealth is freedom | Ceredigion |
Diogel dan ddinefwr | Safe under Dinefwr | Dinefwr |
Duw a digon | With God, enough | Denbighshire |
Duwioldeb diwydrwydd | Godliness and industry | Port Talbot Borough, Port Talbot |
Ewch yn uwch | Higher and higher | Radnorshire, Radnorshire District Council |
Gorau gweithio-cyd weithio | The best service is co-operation | Maesteg |
Golud gwlad rhydidd | A nation's wealth is freedom | Ceredigion |
Gorau moes gwasanaeth | The best way of life is service | Aberystwyth Borough |
Gorau nawwd, nawwd duw | Hawarden | |
Gorau tarian cyfiawnder | The best shield is justice | Flintshire, Islwyn |
Gwasanaeth a gwerin | Alyn and Deeside | |
Gwella braint heb golli bro | Vaynor and Penderyn | |
Gwerth cyngor gwasanaeth | The virtue of a council is its service | Glyndŵr |
Gwirionedd undod a chytgord | University of Cardiff | |
Hanfod tref trefn | The essential of a good town is orderliness | Ammanford |
Hwy clod na golud | Fame outlasts wealth | Rhondda |
Iechyd ac addysg | Health and learning | Ebbw Vale |
Iechyd harddwch heddwch | Health, beauty, tranquillity | Colwyn, Colwyn Bay |
Llafur orfu bobpeth | Hard work conquers everything | Taff-Ely |
Llifa'r dwr, llewyrcha'r bobl | Brecknock RDC | |
Llywyddiant o ddiwydiant | Connah's Quay | |
Llywyddiant trwy undeb | Success through union | Cynon Valley |
Llywyddo drwy ymdrech | Succeeding through endeavour | Neath and Port Talbot |
Mon mam Cynru | Anglesey, Mother of Wales | Isle of Anglesey |
Nid cadern ond brodyrdde | No strength but in fellowship | Merthyr Tydfil |
Nid da lle gellir gwell | Lliw Valley | |
Powys paradwys cymru | Powys, the paradise of Wales | Powys |
Rhydd gwerni ffyniant gwlad | A free people a prosperous country | Carmarthenshire, Dyfed |
Rhyddid hedd a llwyddint | Freedom, peace and prosperity | Carmarthen |
Tarian cyfiawnder duw | The shield of justice is God | Clwyd |
Tra mor tra meirion | Merionethshire | |
Undeb a rhyddid | Unity and freedom | Blaenau Gwent |
Undeb hedd llwyddiant | Unity, peace, success | Brecknock, Brecknockshire |
Undod cadernid cynndd | Unity Strength Progress | Vale of Glamorgan |
Unwn i wneud da | Denbighshire | |
Y ddinas a’r fro | The city and the vale | South Glamorgan |
Ymlaen â Delyn | Forward with Delyn | Delyn |
Yr hafan dêg ar fin y dôn | The fair haven at the edge of the waves | Rhyl |
Mottoes in other languages
Mottoes in any other language.
Motto | Translation in English | Language | Used by |
Eetsun nunnumur | The land where it is good to be | Saanich | North Saanich |
Endazhe kinamandowa chimaganishak | The soldiers training ground | Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Canada | |
Inuit nunangata ungata | Beyond the eskimo land | Canadian Forces Station Alert, Canada | |
Moondah | Over the horizon | Australian Aboriginal | Australian Administrative Staff College |
Ojibwe gchi gami odena | Settlement near the Ojibwe’s big lake | Ojibwe | Sault Ste. Marie |
ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᓴᙱᓂᕗᑦ | Nunavut our strength | Inuktitut | Nunavut |
Tingijub akkarvinga | The place where the areoplanes come in to land | Labrador eskimo | Canadian Forces Station Goose Bay, Canada |
Mottoes in two or more languages
Mottoes in multiple languages.
Motto | Translation in English | Languages | Used by |
Diens - Ukukhoza - Service | Service | Afrikaans - Xhosa - English | Langeberg |
Eendracht maakt macht - L’union fait la force | Dutch and French | Belgium | |
Kayas - présent - future | Past - present - future | Cree, French and English | North Battleford |
Paix – travail – patrie : Peace – work - fatherland | Peace – work - fatherland | French and English | Cameroon |
Mottoes in non-existing languages
Mottoes with a non-existing or phantasy language.
Motto | Translation in English | Origin/Language | Used by |
Es-whoy-malth | A shoaling place | transcribed from a local native American language | Esquimalt |
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