Merseyside

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

MERSEYSIDE

Additions : 1974 Parts of Lancashire and Cheshire
Abolished as an independent council in 1986, but still seen as a metropolitan county

Official blazon

Arms : Azure three Bendlets wavy Argent between six Mural Crowns three and three conjoined in pile Or.
Crest : On a Wreath of the Colours rising from a Wreath of Roses Gules barbed and seeded proper and Garbs Or placed alternately a Cormorant wings displayed holding in the beak a Branch of Seaweed called Laver proper.
Supporters : On the dexter side a Sea Horse proper gorged with a Wreath of Roses Gules barbed and seeded proper and on the sinister side a Sea Lion proper gorged with a Wreath of Garbs Or each supporting a Trident Or all upon a Compartment a Water barry wavy Argent and Azure.
Motto : 'UNITY IN THE SERVICE OF ALL'

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on ??

The white and blue waves refer to the River Mersey and the six mural crowns, being civic emblems, to the six constituent districts.The red roses and sheaves are emblems of Lancashire and Cheshire respectively, both emblems appeared in the arms and devices numerous former local authorities in the area. The cormorant or liver bird is from the arms of the City of Liverpool.

The supporters combine national emblems with those of the sea.

Literature : Image and information taken from here