Raglan

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of New Zealand

RAGLAN

Region: Waikato
District : Waikato Incorporated into : 1989 Waikato District

====Origin/meaning====The arms of the Raglan County Council, which was constituted 1876, are based on the Coat of Arms of Lord Raglan and his permission was obtained to use it as a basis for the county arms. The Raglan county arms and how it differs from the coat of arms of Lord Raglan is explained as follows:

The first and fourth quarters are derived from the quarterings of France modern and Lord Raglan's arms from the Beaufort family. The three lions of England shown in the second and third quarterings of the Beaufort arms is reduced to one and placed in the centre of the shield. The second and third quarters show a Maori mere (combat club) to illustrate the prominent part played in the community by the Maori Chiefs. The helmet above the shield, which replaces the Baron's Crown, is that of an esquire which in heraldry is attributed to local authorities. The crest is a portcullis of gold and is the badge of the Beauforts and Tudors, the first Lord Raglan being the younger son of the Duke of Beaufort.

Literature : Information obtained from Lawrence Jones