Middelfart

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of Denmark - Danmarks Kommunevåbener

MIDDELFART

Region : Syddanmark
Amt (until 2007) : Fyn (until 1970 Odense)
Additions : 1970 Gamborg, Kavslunde, Middelfart Landdistrikt, Vejlby-Strib; 2007 Ejby (1970 Balslev-Ejby, Brenderup, Fjelsted-Harndrup, Gelsted, Husby, Indslev, Tanderup, Ørslev), Nørre Åby (1970 Asperup-Rorslev, Føns, Udby)

Origin/meaning :
The arms were officially registered in 1989.

The arms with the ship are known sinde 1535, but in 1989 a harbour porpoise was added. In historical times porpoises were hunted in the seas near Middelfart. Also, the porpoise reminds of the dolphin in the arms of Vejlby-Strib, whih was incorporated into Middelfart in 1970. Until 1970 the arms below were used by Middelfart:

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These arms are based on the oldest known seal, dating from 1535. The city is an important harbour, which explains the ship. Sometimes the seals showed a small fish in the base of the shield to distinguish the arms from similar arms, such as from Kerteminde and Bogense. This was the base for the addition of the porpoise in 1989.

Seal of Middelfart from 1535.	Seal of Middelfart from 1556.
Seal of Middelfart from 1608.	The arms as shown on a banner from 1898 (collection De Fynske Landsby).
The arms as shown in the Kaffe Hag album from the 1930s.	The arms as shown on a cigarette card from 1926

Literature : Achen, 1982; Grandjean, 1937