Waltham Forest

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

WALTHAM FOREST

Additions : 1965 Chingford, Leyton, Walthamstow

Official blazon

Arms : Vert a Stag's Head caboshed proper between the attires an Ancient Crown Or on a Chief wavy Argent three Oak Trees couped proper fructed Or.
Crest : On a Mural Crown in front of a Cross Staff Or a Lion passant per pale Or and Sable; Mantled Vert doubled Argent.
Supporters : On either side a Stag gorged with a Wreath of Oak proper pendent therefrom a Billet that on the dexter Gules charged with an Anchor Argent that on the sinister Vert charged with a Sword point upwards Argent hilt and pommel Or.
Motto : 'FELLOWSHIP IS LIFE'

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on January 1, 1965.

The new Borough was named after the Royal forest of Waltham which once covered its area. Thus the green shield and stag's head with ancient crown clearly refer to this. The wavy chief line suggests the River Lea. The three oak trees show the three merged councils in Waltham Forest. The crest represents Leyton, the dexter supporter Walthamstow and the sinister supporter Chingford.

The crest has a mural crown, symbol of local government. Atop this is a black and gold lion. This comes from the Frauncey family arms. The cross staff is for Stratford-Langthorne Abbey, important local landowners both here and in the neighbouring borough of Newham.

The dexter supporter is a stag from the arms of the Maynard Family. The oak leaves and anchor come from the Monoux family arms. The sinister supporter is another stag, and is derived from Chingford's arms. The sword represents Chingford's associations with the City of London and the dean and chapter of St. Paul's Cathedral.

The motto was previously used by Walthamstow, and is a quote from the works of William Morris.

Literature : Image and information provided by Laurence Jones