Nuneaton

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

NUNEATON

Incorporated into: 1974 Nuneaton and Bedworth

Official blazon

Arms : Per chevron Argent and barry wavy of six Azure and of the first in chief two Lozenges Sable on a Chief Gules a Cinquefoil Ermine between two Fleurs-de-Lys Or.
Crest : On a Wreath of the Colours between two Lozenges a Bear's Gamb reased Sable enfiled by a Mural Crown Or and holding a Cinquefoil slipped Ermine.
Motto : 'PRÊT D'ACCOMPLIR' - Ready to achieve

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on April 21, 1932.

The blue and white waves, refer to the ancient name of the town 'Etone', town by the running wate, in allusion to its position on the banks of the River Anker. The black lozenges refer to the coal industry. The ermine cinqufoil is from the arms of Robert de Beaumont, Earl of Leicester, who in the reign of King Stephen endowed the Priory of Nuns whence the town derived the first part of its name. The priory was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, to whom the fleurs-de-lys allude.

The bear's arm links to the arms of the Warwickshire County Council and the mural crown is a common civic symbol.

The motto is appropriate to a progressive town, but is historically that of the Aston family, former landowners of much of the Borough.

Literature : Image and information from here