The Coat of Arms
Barnet’s Coat of Arms, as shown on the Mayor’s Badge, is used on all mayoral correspondence and may be seen on signs around the borough - as well as being emblazoned on the flag on the mayoral car. The Grant of Arms was given to the borough on 1 January 1965.
The official description reads:
Azure, on a Mount in base vert, a Pascal Lamb, proper, a Chief per pale Argent and Gules, thereon a Saxon Crown Or between two Roses counterchanged, barbed and seeded proper.
Crest
On a Wreath of the Colours, in front of a two bladed Airscrew in pale winged and issuant Or, two Swords in saltire, points upward proper.
Supporters
On the dexter side a Lion and on the sinister side a Stag Argent, each charged on the shoulder with a Cross potent quadrant Gules.
Motto
Unitas efficit ministerium (Unity achieves service).
Derivation of the Arms symbols
The lamb and flag standing on a green hill is taken from the Arms of the former Borough of Hendon and symbolises the Saxon derivation of Hendon with the place name meaning of “at the High Down” joined with the badge which formed the weather vane of the ancient parish church of St Mary’s, Hendon.
The Saxon crown comes from the Arms of the former County of Middlesex and is used to perpetuate that county.
The red and white roses come from the Arms of the former East Barnet and Barnet Urban District Councils and symbolise the Wars of the Roses, a climax of which was reached at the Battle of Barnet.
The airscrew comes from the former Borough of Hendon’s Arms and symbolises the Aerodrome.
The swords come from the former East Barnet and Barnet Urban District Councils and represent the battle fought there.
The lion and the stag supporters come from the former Borough of Finchley’s Arms where the lion represented the historic connections of the manor with the family of Compton from whose Arms it was taken and the Stag symbolises the game that was once hunted through Finchley’s forests.
The crosses on the supporters’ shoulders come from the former Friern Barnet Urban District Council’s Arms where they symbolised the connection with the ancient Priory there which belonged to the Knights of St John of Jerusalem.
