Southampton (England)

Heraldry of the World

British heraldry portal
Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

Overseas possessions
Total pages in the British section : 15,937
Total images in the British section : 9,637

SOUTHAMPTON

Official blazon

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on 4 August 1575.

The original grant actually refers to the addition of supporters to the 'ancient' arms of Southampton. The arms are believed to date to the 13^th century. The red and white roses are linked with the Royal houses of Lancaster and York. Henry, Duke of Lancaster, his son in law John of Gaunt and John's younger brother, Edmond, Duke of York, were all involved in expeditions which set out from Southampton. It is thus likely that the Princes granted the roses to the city.

The 13th century, seal of Southampton (Ewe, 1972)	The seal of Southampton in 1400 (Ewe, 1972)
The 17th century, seal of Southampton (Ewe, 1972)

The complicated armorial bearings show two small lion supporters, probably representing the English lion, standing each on a warship, indicating the importance of Southampton as a harbour and naval city. The whole is placed on a compartment of water and a grassy mound.

The crest shows a tower, symbolising the fortress and from the crests rises the figure of Lady Justice, symbol of justice.

The arms as used on a JaJa postcard +/- 1905	The arms on a Wills's cigarette card, 1906
The arms in the Coffee Hag albums +/- 1925	The arms on a Thomson & Porteous cigarette card
The arms as used on a Faulkner postcard +/- 1905	The seal as shown in 1845