Rotherham RDC

Heraldry of the World
Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

ROTHERHAM (Rural District Council)

Incorporated into : 1974 Rotherham

Official blazon

Arms : Vert a Stag trippant Or on a Chief Sable two Swords in saltire proper hilted and pommelled Gold between as many Roses Argent barbed and seeded also proper.
Crest : On a Wreath of the Colours a demi Griffin Argent gorged with a Collar lozengy Argent and Gules pendent therefrom an Escutcheon Sable charged with a Chevron between three Leopards' Faces Or and holding between the claws a Cross patonce also Sable.
Motto : 'INTENTO ANIMO' - With earnest mind.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on June 20, 1955.

The green background represents the ancient forest and the modern agricultural activities. The golden stag is an emblem of the forest and is also a link with the arms of the Rotherham CBC, which has two stags as supporters. The black chief with white roses suggests the South Yorkshire coalfield.

The crossed swords are an emblem of the steel industry. They also appear in the arms of the Cutlers of Sheffield, for whom grindstones were provided from many of the local quarries. Thus the local coal, steel, quarrying and agriculture are all represented.

The gold and green colour of the mantling and wreath are those of the Sitwell family, which is connected with Whiston. The griffin is from the arms of the Marquesses and Earls of Rockingham and the Wentworths (of Hooton Roberts and Wentworth Woodhouse) whose shield hangs from a red and white patterned collar derived from the Fitzwilliam shield. The black cross is that of the Reresbys of Thrybergh.

The motto is derived from that of the Bosviles of Ravenfleld.