Stockport

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STOCKPORT

Additions : 1974 Bredbury and Romiley UDC, Cheadle and Gatley UDC, Hazel Grove and Bramhill UDC, Marple UDC

Official blazon

Arms : Azure semée of Cross crosslets three Lozenges Or a Bordure of the last charged with three Garbs and as many double headed Eagles displayed alternately of the First.
Crest : Issuant from a Mural Crown Or a Mount Vert thereon a Castle with two Towers proper; Mantled Azure doubled Or.
Supporters : On either side a Lion Argent that to the dexter gorged with a Collar vairy Or and Gules pendent therefrom by a Chain Gold a Plate charged with a Rose Gules barbed and seeded proper that to the sinister likewise collared and pendent from the Collar by a like Chain a Hurt charged with a Garb also Gold.
Motto: 'ANIMO ET FIDE' - With courage and faith.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on December 5, 1932. Supporters granted 1st December 1959.

There is some confusion about the early coat of arms of Stockport. Council minutes show that on February 3rd 1836 a design was approved by the Council, and a seal made to this specification arrived on the 9th of March. An agreement dated 16th December 1847, and kept in the Central Library, bears this original coat of arms. This has a shield with a lion couchant and a figure of Britannia as supporters and the words "Corporate Reform January 1836" on a banner. However, the College of Heralds can find no reference to these earlier arms.

The wheatsheaves are from the arms of the Earl of Chester and the double-headed eagles from the arms of the De Eton family.

The crest shows a golden crown formed like a wall, on which there is a green mound surmounted by a castle in natural colours.

The shield is supported on either side by a lion rampant (from the arms of the de Warren family who were Lords of the Manor from 1370 to 1826). Each lion wears a collar of Vairy Or and Gules (in allusion to Ferrers, Earls of Derby). From the collar of one hangs a silver disc with the Red Rose of Lancaster, and from the other a blue disc with the golden wheatsheaf of the Earldom of Chester.

The motto - Animo et Fide is translated as With Courage and Faith.