Merionethshire

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

MERIONETHSHIRE

Incorporated into : 1974 Gwynedd

Official blazon

Arms : Azure, three goats salient argent, armed, crined and unguled Or; on the chief of the last issuant from barry wavy of four of the first and the second a sun rising gules.
Crest : Issuant from a coronet of six roses set upon a rim Or, a representation of Harlech Castle on a rock proper.
Supporters : Upon a compartment of rock proper, on either side a dragon gules supporting an abbot's crozier and charged on the wing with five mullets Or.
Motto : Tra Mor tra Meirion

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on March 1952.

The goats and the motto were already used by the county before 1952. The setting sun symbolises the westward coastline of the county. The rocky compartment symbolises the geology of the county, as well as the Cadair Idris, one of the highest mountains in Wales.

The crest shows Harlech Castle, built by Edward I, whose symbol, the rose, is shown on its base.

The supporters are Welsh dragons, hoding a croseir for the many (former) abbeys in the area, especially Cymmer Abbey. The stars on the dragons are a symbol for St. Elltyd, an astronomer.

Literature : Image provided by Laurence Jones; background from Scott-Giles, 1953.