Oxfordshire

Heraldry of the World
Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

OXFORDSHIRE

Official blazon

Arms : Azure two Bendlets wavy Argent between in chief a Garb Or and in base an Oak Tree fructed Or.
Crest : Issuant from a Mural Crown Gules a Grassy Mount proper thereon an Oxford Down Ram proper gorged with a Collar Azure charged with a Barrulet wavy fesswise Argent; Mantled Azure doubled Argent.
Supporters : On the dexter an Ox guardant Gules gorged with a Collar Azure charged with a Barrulet wavy Argent and on the sinister a Horse Argent gorged with a like Collar on a Compartment comprising a Grassy Mound furrowed per pale and the lower edge excavated proper.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on May 25, 1976.

The wavy bend represents the Thames river and its tributaries. The garb and the tree represent the nature and the agricultural character of the county.

The crest shows a ram on a mound. The mound is the mound of Oxford Castle, founded in 1071 and the seat of government for a long time and the modern County Hall is situated on the same location.

The ram is a Oxford Down ram, a local breed of sheep. It symbolises the historical importance of wool trading. The ram wears a collar from the shield.

The red ox supporter is taken from the arms of Oxford city. The white horse is taken from the old arms of the Berkshire County Council, as part of Berkshire, the Vale of White Horse, was transferred to Oxfordshire. Both supporters wear a collar of the shield.

Contact and Support

Partners:

Your logo here ?
Contact us

Literature: Information provided by the Oxfordshire County Council.