Leigh

Heraldry of the World
Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

LEIGH (Urban district council)

Incorporated into : 1974 : Wigan

Official blazon

Arms : Quarterly Gules and Argent a Cross quarterly counter-changed between a Spear Head of the last in the first quarter a Mullet Sable in the second a Shuttle fessewise the thread pendant of the last in the third and a Sparrowhawk close proper in the fourth.
Crest : On a Wreath of the Colours the Battlements of a Tower proper issuant therefrom a Bear's Paw Gules holding a Javelin erect Or.
Motto : 'AEQUO PEDE PROPERA' - Hasten steadily

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on December 23, 1899.

The emblems are from the heraldry of local families. The spear head represents the Urmestones of Westleigh, the star the Bradshaws, the shuttle the Shuttleworths and the sparrowhawk the Athertons.

The bear's paw is from the crest of Lord Lilford.