Armorial of prime ministers of the United Kingdom explained

Most prime ministers of the United Kingdom have enjoyed the right to display coats of arms and to this day, prime ministers have their ancestral arms approved, or new armorial bearings granted, either by the College of Arms or the Lyon Court.[1]

Arms of prime ministers by century

18th century

ArmsName of prime minister (including peerage title, if any) and heraldic blazon
align=center Arms of Robert Walpole, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1721–1742

Escutcheon

Quarterly of nine, 1st Or on a Fess between two Chevrons Sable three Cross-crosslets of the Field; 2nd Vert a Lion rampant Or two Goutte d'sang; 3rd Gules a saltire engrailed Argent; 4th Azure a Chevron between three crosses Or; 5th Vert a saltire Or; 6th Argent on a fess engrailed between three Escutcheons Gules three mullets pierced Or; 7th Argent between three Cross-crosslets fitchée a fess Gules; 8th Or between three Oak leaves proper a chevron Ermine; 9th Argent between a saltire Azure four gryphon heads Gules.

Coronet

that of an Earl

Crest

A Saracen's Head in profile couped at the shoulders Proper, ducally-crowned Or and from the Coronet flowing a Chapeau Rouge turned down in front tasselled and charged with a Catherine Wheel Or

Motto: Sibi constant (Be true unto oneself)

Arms of Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1742–1743

Escutcheon: Sable a Lion passant guardant Or between three Esquires' Helms Argent

Coronet: that of an Earl

Crest: On a Mount a Beacon fired Proper behind it a ribbon inscribed: Nisi Dominus (If no God, nothing)

Motto: Je ne cherche qu'Un (I seek but One)

align=center Arms of Henry Pelham, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1743–1754

Escutcheon: Azure three pelicans argent vulning themselves in the breast gules[2]

Crest: A Peacock in its pride Argent

Motto: Vincit amor patriæ ("Love of one's country prevails")

align=center Arms of Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1754–1756 and 1757–1762

Escutcheon: Quarterly of six, 1st and 6th grandquarterly Azure three Pelicans vulning themselves Proper and Ermine two Piles in point Sable; 2nd, Gules two Demi-belts Argent with Buckles Or erect (the augmenting buckles recognising the capture of King John of France (Jean II le Bon) by Sir John Pelham); 3rd, Ermine on a Fess Gules three open Crowns Or; 4th, Azure fretty Or; 5th, Azure two Bars Argent on a Canton Sable a Wolf's Head erased of the Second.

Coronet: that of a Duke

Crest: A Peacock in pride Proper

Motto: Loyaulté n'a honte (No shame in loyalty)

align=center Arms of William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1756–1757

Escutcheon: Sable three Bucks' Heads cabossed Argent, with a Crescent for difference

Coronet: that of a Duke

Crest: A Serpent nowed Proper

Supporters: On the dexter side a Bull Or ducally-crowned Gules and on the sinister side a Lion rampant guardant Gules crined and ducally-crowned Or Motto: Cavendo tutus (Secure by caution)

align=center Arms of John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1762–1763

Escutcheon: Or a Fess chequy Azure and Argent within a Double Tressure flory-counterflory Gules

Coronet: that of an Earl

Crest: A Demi-lion rampant Gules

Motto: Nobilis est ira leonis (Noble is the lion's wrath)

align=center Arms of George Grenville, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1763–1765

Escutcheon: Vert on a Cross Argent five Torteaux Gules

Crest: A Garb Vert

Motto: Repetens exempla suorum (Following the example set by our forebears) [3]

align=center Arms of William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1766–1768

Escutcheon: Sable a Fess chequy Argent and Azure between three Bezants Or

Coronet: that of an Earl

Crest: A Stork Proper beaked and membered Or resting the dexter claw on an Anchor erect cabled of the Last

Motto: Benigno numine (By Divine providence)

align=center Arms of Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1768–1770

Escutcheon: Royal arms of King Charles II (differenced), viz: grandquarterly, 1st and 4th, France and England quarterly; 2nd, Scotland; 3rd, Ireland; the whole debruised by a Baton sinister compony of six pieces Argent and Azure

Coronet: that of a Duke

Crest: On a Chapeau Gules doubled Ermine a Lion statant guardant Or crowned with a ducal-coronet Azure and gorged with a Collar countercompony Argent and of the Fourth

Motto: Et decus et pretium recti (By Grace, the prize of rectitude)

align=center Arms of Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1770–1782

Escutcheon: Azure a Lion passant between three Fleurs-de-lis Argent

Coronet: that of an Earl

Crest: A Dragon's Head erased Sable ducally-gorged and chained Or

Supporters: On either side a Mastiff Proper

Mottos: La vertu est la seule noblesse (Virtue is the only nobility); Animo et fide (With courage and Faith)[4]

align=center Arms of Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1782

Escutcheon: Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Argent on a Chevron engrailed Azure between three Martlets Sable as many Crescents Or (Watson); 2nd and 3rd, Sable a Chevron between three Leopards' Faces Or (Wentworth)

Coronet: that of a Marquess

Crest: A Griffin passant wings elevated Argent beaked forelegged and ducally-gorged Or

Supporters: On the dexter side a Griffin Argent beaked and forelegged Gules collared vairé Ermine and Azure and on the sinister side a Lion Or collared vairé Ermine and Gules

Mottos: Mea gloria fides (Trust is my renown); En Dieu est tout (In God is all)[5]

align=center Arms of William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1782–1783

Escutcheon: Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Ermine on a Bend Azure a Magnetic Needle pointing at a Polar Star Or (Petty); 2nd and 3rd, Argent a Saltire Gules a Chief Ermine (FitzMaurice)

Coronet: that of an Earl

Crests: 1st, a Beehive beset with Bees diversely volant Proper (Petty); 2nd, a Centaur drawing a Bow and Arrow Proper the equine part from the waist Argent (FitzMaurice)

Supporters: On either side a Pegasus Ermine bridled crined winged and unguled Or each charged on the shoulder with a Fleur-de-lis Azure

Motto: Virtute non verbis (By courage not words)[6]

align=center Arms of William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1783 and 1807–1809

Escutcheon: Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Azure a Cross Moline Argent (Bentinck); 2nd and 3rd, Sable three Stags' Heads cabossed Argent attired Or with a Crescent for difference (Cavendish)

Coronet: that of a Duke

Crests: 1st, Issuant from a ducal coronet Proper two Arms counter-embowed vested Gules on the hands Gloves Or each holding an Ostrich Feather Argent (Bentinck); 2nd, a Snake nowed Proper (Cavendish)

Supporters: On either side a Lion double-queued the dexter Or and the sinister Sable

Motto: Craignez honte (Fear dishonour)[7]

align=center Arms of William Pitt the Younger, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1783–1801 and 1804–1806

Escutcheon: Sable a Fess chequy Argent and Azure between three Bezants Or, with a Crescent for difference

Crest: A Stork Proper beaked and membered Or resting the dexter claw on an Anchor erect cabled of the Last

Motto: Benigno numine (By Divine providence)[8]

(The patrilineal arms of The Hon. (later Rt. Hon.) William Pitt were cadenced from birth; he became the first PM following the Act of Union 1800 which merged Great Britain and Ireland to form the United Kingdom)

19th century

ArmsName of prime minister (including peerage title, if any) and heraldic blazon
align=center Arms of Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1801–1804

Escutcheon: Per pale Ermine and Erminés a Chevron charged with five Lozenges counterchanged between three Fleurs-de-lis Or

Coronet: that of a Viscount

Crest: A Cat-a-mountain sejant guardant Proper bezanty the dexter forepaw resting on an inescutcheon Azure charged with a Mace erect surmounted with a Regal Crown Or within a Bordure engrailed Argent

Supporters: On either side a Stag the dexter Erminés the sinister Ermine both attired and gorged with a Chain pendant therefrom a Key all Or

Motto: Libertas sub rege pio (Liberty under a pious King)[9]

align=center Arms of William Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1806–1807

Escutcheon: Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Vert on a Cross Argent five Torteaux Gules (Grenville); 2nd, Or an Eagle displayed Sable (Leofric, Earl of Mercia); 3rd, Argent two Bars Sable each charged with three Martlets Or (Temple)

Coronet: that of an Earl

Crest: A Garb Vert

Supporters: On the dexter side a Lion per fess embattled Gules and Or and on the sinister side a Horse Argent semé of Eaglets Sable with both supporters collared Argent banded Vert charged with three Torteaux counterchanged

Motto: Repetens exempla suorum (Following the example set by our forebears)

align=center Arms of Spencer Perceval, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1809–1812

Escutcheon: Argent on a chief indented gules three crosses pattées of the field [10]

Crest: A thistle proper erect

Motto: (Below) Sub cruce candida ("Under the Holy Cross")
(Above) Yvery

Supporters: On either side an eagle volant sable

align=center Arms of Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1812–1827

Escutcheon: Azure a Fess wavy Argent charged with a Cross Pattée Gules in chief two Estoiles Or and as an augmentation of honour granted to his father the 1st Earl of Liverpool, upon a Chief wavy of the Second a Cormorant Sable beaked and legged of the Third holding in the beak a Seaweed (or Liver) branch inverted Vert (for Liverpool)

Coronet: that of an Earl

Crest: A Seahorse assurgent Argent maned Azure supporting a Cross Pattée Gules

Supporters: On either side a Hawk wings elevated and inverted Proper beaked legged and belled Or charged on the breast with a Cross Pattée Gules

Motto: Palma non sine pulvere ("Dare to try")[11]

align=center Arms of George Canning, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1827[12]

Escutcheon: Argent three Moors' Heads in profile two and one couped Proper wreathed about the temples of the First and Azure

Crest: A Demi-lion rampant Argent charged with three Trefoils Vert holding in its dexter paw an Arrow pointing downwards pheoned and flighted Proper shaft Or[13]

Motto: Ne cede malis ced contra ("Yield not to misfortunes, but counter them")

align=center Arms of Frederick Robinson, 1st Viscount Goderich, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1827–1828

Escutcheon: Vert a Chevron between three Stags at gaze Or

Coronet: that of a Viscount

Crest: Out of a Coronet composed of Fleurs-de-lis a Mount Vert thereon a Stag at gaze Or

Supporters: On either side a Greyhound reguardant Sable

Motto: Qualis ab incepto (As it was in the beginning)[14]

align=center Arms of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1828–1830 and 1834

Escutcheon: Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Gules a Cross Argent in each quarter five Plates in saltire (Wellesley); 2nd and 3rd, Or a Lion rampant Gules ducally-collared also Or (Cowley); over all in centre chief point an Inescutcheon charged with the Union Badge

Coronet: that of a Duke

Crest: Out of a ducal coronet Or a Demi-lion rampant Gules holding in the paws a forked Pennon Argent flowing to the sinister charged with the Cross of St George the ends Gules

Supporters: On either side a Lion Gules gorged with an Eastern Coronet and chained Or

Motto: Virtutis fortuna comes (Fortune favours the brave)[15]

align=center Arms of Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1830–1834

Escutcheon: Gules a Lion rampant within a Bordure engrailed Argent in dexter chief point a Mullet Or[16]

Coronet: that of an Earl

Crest: A Scaling Ladder Or hooked and pointed Sable

Supporters: On the dexter side a Lion guardant Purpure ducally-crowned Or and on the sinister side a Tiger guardant Proper

Motto: De bon vouloir servir le Roy (To serve the King with good will)[17]

align=center Arms of William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1834 and 1835–1841

Escutcheon: Sable on a Fess Erminois between three Cinquefoils Argent two Mullets of the Field[18]

Coronet: that of a Viscount

Crest: A Demi-lion rampant Gules holding between the paws a Mullet Sable

Supporters: On either side a Lion Gules gorged with a Collar Or charged with two Mullets Sable and chained also Or

Motto: Virtute et fide (By valour and Faith)

align=center Arms of Robert Peel, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1834–1835 and 1841–1846

Escutcheon: Argent three Sheaves of as many Arrows Proper banded Gules on a Chief Azure a Bee volant Or, with the mark of a baronet for difference[19]

Crest: A Demi-lion rampant Argent gorged with a Collar Azure charged with three Bezants holding between the paws a Shuttle Or[20]

Motto: Industria

Honours: Baronet

align=center Arms of John Russell, 1st Earl Russell, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1846–1852 and 1865–1866

Escutcheon: Argent a Lion Rampant Gules on a chief Sable three escallops of the field over the centre escallop a mullet Argent[21] [22]

Coronet: that of an Earl

Crest: A Goat statant Argent armed and unguled Or

Supporters: On the dexter side a Lion Gules and on the sinister side an Heraldic Antelope also Gules armed unguled tufted ducally gorged and chained the Chain reflexed over the back Or each supporter charged on the shoulder with a Mullet Argent

Motto: Che sera sera (What will be, will be)[23]

align=center Arms of Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1852, 1858–1859 and 1866–1868

Escutcheon: Argent on a Bend Azure three Bucks' Heads cabossed Or

Coronet: that of an Earl

Crest: On a Chapeau Gules turned up Ermine an Eagle with wings extended Or preying on a Child Proper swaddled Gules in a Cradle laced Or

Supporters: On the dexter side a Griffin with wings elevated Or ducally collared and line reflexed over the back Azure and on the dexter side a Stag Or also ducally collared and line reflexed over the back Azure

Motto: Sans changer (Unchanging)[24]

align=center Arms of George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1852–1855

Escutcheon: Azure three Boars' Heads couped Or within a double tressure flowered and counterflowered alternately with thistles, roses and fleurs-de-lis Or

Coronet: that of an Earl

Crest: Two naked Arms from the shoulder holding a Bow ready to let fly an Arrow Proper

Supporters: on the dexter side an Earl in his robes Proper and on the sinister side a Doctor of Laws also robed Proper

Motto: Fortuna sequatur (Let fortune follow)[25]

align=center Arms of Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1855–1858 and 1859–1865

Escutcheon: Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Or an Eagle displayed Sable (Earl of Mercia); 2nd and 3rd, Argent two bars Sable each charged with three Martlets Or (Temple)

Coronet: that of a Viscount

Crest: A Talbot sejant Sable, plain collared Or

Supporters: Dexter a Lion regardant Pean; Sinister a Horse regardant Argent maned tailed and hoofed Or.

Motto: Flecti non frangi (Flexible but unbreakable)

align=center Arms of Benjamin Disraeli, 1st and last Earl of Beaconsfield, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1868 and 1874–1880

Escutcheon: Per saltire Gules and Argent a castle triple-towered in chief Argent two lions rampant in fess Sable and an eagle displayed in base Or.

Coronet: that of an Earl

Crest: Issuant from a wreath of oak Proper a castle triple-towered Argent.

Supporters: Dexter an eagle Or sinister a lion Or each gorged with a collar Gules and pendent therefrom an escutcheon of the last charged with a tower Argent.

Motto: Forti Nihil Fifficile (Power Overcomes Difficulty)[26]

align=center Arms of William Ewart Gladstone, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1868–1874, 1880–1885, 1886 and 1892–1894

Escutcheon: Argent a savage's head affronté gutté de sang wreathed about the temples with holly proper within an orle flory gules all within an orle of martlets sable

Crest: issuant from a wreath of holly vert, a demi-griffin sable, supporting between the claws a sword, the blade enfiled by a bonnet of holly and bay also vert[27]

Motto: Fide et virtute (By Faith and valour)[28]

align=center Arms of Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1885–1886, 1886–1892 and 1895–1902

Escutcheon: Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Barry of ten Argent and Azure over all six Escutcheons Sable three two and one each charged with a Lion rampant of the First a Crescent for difference (Cecil); 2nd and 3rd, Argent on a Pale Sable a Conger's Head erased and erect Or charged with an Ermine Spot (Gascoyne)

Coronet: that of a Marquess

Crests: 1st, Six Arrows in saltire Or barbed and flighted Argent bound together with a Belt Gules buckled and garnished Or over the Arrows a Morion Cap Proper (Cecil); 2nd, a Conger's Head erased and erect Or charged with an Ermine Spot (Gascoyne)

Supporters: On either side a Lion Ermine

Motto: Seo sed serio (Late but with sincerity)[29]

align=center Arms of Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1894–1895

Escutcheon: Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Vert three Primroses within a Double Tressure flory counterflory Or (Primrose); 2nd and 3rd, Argent a Lion rampant double-queued Sable (Cressy)

Coronet: that of an Earl

Crest: A Demi-lion Gules holding in the dexter paw a Primrose Or

Supporters: On either side a Lion Or

Motto: Fide et fiducia (By Faith and trust)[30]

20th century

ArmsName of prime minister (including peerage title, if any) and heraldic blazon
align=center Arms of Arthur Balfour, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1902–1905

Escutcheon: Argent on a Chevron engrailed between three Mullets Sable as many Otters' Heads erased of the First

Coronet: that of an Earl

Crest: A Palm Tree Proper

Supporters: On either side an Otter Proper collared Or

Motto: Virtus ad Æthera tendit (Virtue strives towards Heaven)[31]

align=center Arms of Henry Campbell-Bannerman, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1905–1908

Escutcheon: Quarterly, 1st and 4th, per pale Gules and Sable a Banner displayed bendways Argent thereon a Canton Azure charged with a Saltire of the Third (Bannerman); 2nd and 3rd, Gyronny of eight Or and Sable on a Chief engrailed Argent a Galley her oars in action between two Hunting Horns stringed all of the Second (Campbell of Belmont)[32]

Crests: 1st, A Demi-man in armour Proper (Bannerman); 2nd, a Boar's Head erased Proper (Campbell)

Mottos: (Above the first crest) Patriæ fidelis; (Above the second crest) Ne obliviscaris[33]

Honours: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (represented by the Bath circlet in Campbell-Bannerman's full armorial achievement)

Kinsmen: Duke of Argyll, Campbell baronets[34] and David Campbell-Bannerman MEP

align=center Arms of H. H. Asquith, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1908–1916

Escutcheon: Sable on a Fess between three Cross-crosslets Argent a Portcullis of the Field

Coronet: that of an Earl

Crest: Issuant out of Clouds Proper a Mascle Gules

Supporters: On either side a Lion Purpure charged on the shoulder with an open Book Argent edged Or

Motto: Sine macula macla (Immaculate)[35]

align=center Arms of David Lloyd George, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1916–1922

Escutcheon: Azure over Water barry wavy in base a Bridge of one Arch Proper on a Chief Argent a Portcullis Sable between two Daffodils stalked and leaved also Proper

Coronet: that of an Earl

Crest: A Demi-dragon Gules holding between the claws a Portcullis Sable

Supporters: on the dexter side a Dragon Or and on the sinister side an Eagle wings addorsed Or each gorged with a Collar Vert

Motto: Y gwir yn erbyn y byd (Truth against the World)[36]

align=center Arms of Bonar Law, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1922–1923

Escutcheon: Argent a Saltire Azure between four Cocks Proper Crest: Issuant from a Chaplet of Maple Leaves a Demi-salmon Proper

align=center Arms of Stanley Baldwin, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1923–1924, 1924–1929 and 1935–1937

Escutcheon: Argent on a Saltire Sable a Quatrefoil Or

Coronet: that of an Earl

Crest: A Cockatrice sejant wings addorsed Argent combed wattled and beaked Or gorged with a Crown Vallary lined and reflexed over the back also Or and charged on the shoulder with a Rose Gules barbed and seeded Proper

Supporters: On either side a White Owl Proper that on the sinister holding in the Beak a Sprig of Broom also Proper

Motto: Per Deum meum transilio murum (By God I can scale any wall)[37]

align=center Ramsay MacDonald, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1924 and 1929–1935

No arms known

align=center Neville Chamberlain, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1937–1940, was the son of Joseph Chamberlain and brother of Austen Chamberlain, both of whom used the arms depicted here and described below. However, "no authority has been established" for these arms.[38] Nonetheless, as a knight of the Order of the Garter, Austen Chamberlain displayed different arms in the Garter Chapel. These are blazoned as Gules, a key in bend between two lions rampant or. The blazon for the original and unauthorised family arms is described below.

Escutcheon: Gules eight Cinquefoils in orle Or

Crest: Out of a Mural Coronet a Demi-lion Gules holding a Key Or

Motto: Je tiens ferme (I hold fast)

align=center Arms of Winston Churchill, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1940–1945 and 1951–1955

Escutcheon: Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Sable a Lion rampant Argent on a Canton of the Second a Cross Gules (Churchill); 2nd and 3rd, Quarterly Argent and Gules a Fret Or on a Bend Sable three Escallops of the First (Spencer); over all in centre chief point an Inescutcheon by augmentation of honour, Argent charged with the Cross of St George surmounted by another Escutcheon Azure charged with three Fleurs-de-lis two and one Or

Crests: 1st, a Lion couchant guardant Argent supporting a Banner Gules charged with a Dexter Hand couped Argent (Churchill); 2nd, out of a ducal coronet Or a Griffin's Head between two Wings expanded Argent gorged with a Collar gemelle and armed Gules (Spencer)

Honours: Order of the Garter, Order of Merit and Companion of Honour

Motto: Fiel pero desdichado (Faithful though disinherited)[39]

(Sir Winston's arms are those of Spencer-Churchill without supporters unlike those of his grandfather, the 7th Duke of Marlborough KG.)

align=center Arms of Clement Attlee, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury 1945–1951

Escutcheon: Azure on a Chevron Or between three Hearts of the Last winged Argent as many Lions rampant Sable

Coronet: that of an Earl

Crest: On a Mount Vert two Lions addorsed Or

Supporters: On either side a Welsh Terrier sejant Proper

Motto: Labor vincit omnia (Labour conquers all)[40]

align=center Arms of Anthony Eden, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1955–1957

Escutcheon: Gules on a Chevron Argent between three Garbs Or banded Vert as many Escallops Sable

Coronet: that of an Earl

Supporters: On the dexter side a Leopard guardant Or resting the sinister hind paw on a Garb Or banded Vert and on the sinister side a like Leopard resting the dexter hind paw on a similar Garb

Crest: A Dexter Arm in armour embowed couped at the shoulder Proper the hand grasping a Garb also Proper[41]

Motto: Si sit prudentia (If there be but prudence)

align=center Arms of Harold Macmillan, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1957–1963

Escutcheon: Argent a Chief Or overall between three Open Books Proper edged Or and bound Azure those in chief inscribed respectively in Letters Sable "Miseres" and "Discere" and that in base also in Letters Sable inscribed "Succo" and as many Mullets Azure a Lion rampant Sable

Coronet: that of an Earl

Crest: Within Sprigs of Oak fructed Or a dexter Cubit Arm and a sinister Arm embowed both Proper the dexter hand gauntleted Or and with the other brandishing a Two-handed Sword Proper Hilt Pommel and Quillons Sable

Supporters: On the dexter side a Lion rampant Gules and on the sinister side an American Bald-headed Eagle Proper both standing upon a Compartment comprising a crenelated Wall Proper in the portal thereof an Anchor Azure and jointed on either side by two Bars wavy Azure to a Grassy Mount growing from that on the dexter a Long Branch and from that on the sinister a Thistle both Proper[42]

align=center Arms of Alec Douglas-Home, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1963–1964

Escutcheon: Quarterly, 1st and 4th grandquarterly, 1st and 4th, Vert a Lion rampant Argent armed and langued Gules (Home); 2nd and 3rd, Argent three Popinjays Vert beaked and membered Gules (Pepdie of Dunglas); over all an Inescutcheon Or charged with an Orle Azure (Landale); 2nd and 3rd grandquarterly, 1st, Azure a Lion rampant Argent armed and langued Gules crowned with an Imperial Crown Or (Lordship of Galloway); 2nd, Or a Lion rampant Gules armed and langued Azure debruised of a Ribbon Sable (Abernethy); 3rd, Argent three Piles Gules (Lordship of Brechin); 4th, Or a Fess chequy Azure and Argent surmounted of a Bend Sable charged with three Buckles of the Field (Stewart of Bonkill); over all on an Inescutcheon Argent a Man's Heart Gules ensigned with an Imperial Crown Proper and a Chief Azure charged with three Mullets of the Field (Douglas)

Coronet: that of an Earl

Crests: 1st, On a Cap of Maintenance Proper a Lion's Head erased Argent (Home); 2nd, On a Cap of Maintenance Proper a Salamander Vert encircled with Flames of Fire Proper (Douglas)

Supporters: On either side a Lion Argent armed and langued Azure

Mottos: (Above the first crest) A Home, a Home, a Home; (Above the second crest) Jamais arrière (Never behind); (Below the arms) True to the end[43]

Honours: Order of the Thistle

align=center Arms of Harold Wilson, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1964–1970 and 1974–1976

Escutcheon: Argent an Ancient Ship Proper on a Chief Gules a Stag's Head caboshed Or between two Water Bougets Argent

Coronet: that of a Baron

Crest: Upon a Rock a Lighthouse in front thereof a Spade blade downwards and a Quill point downwards in saltire all Proper

Supporters: on the dexter side a Winged Lion Purpure charged on the Wing with three Roses Argent barbed and seeded Proper and on the sinister side a Griffin Or charged on the Wing with three Roses Gules barbed and seeded Proper

Motto: Tempus rerum semperatur (It is what it is)[44]

Honours: Order of the Garter

Arms of Edward Heath, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1970–1974

Escutcheon: Per bend Purpure and Vert a Bend dancetty Or issuant from the sinister chief a Sunburst and in base a Portcullis chained Or

Crest: Standing on a Naval Coronet Or a Swan Proper its dexter foot resting on a Cup Or

Supporters: on the dexter side a Sea-lion Or charged on dexter shoulder with an Inescutcheon voided Vert and on the sinister side a Horse Argent gorged about the throat with a ducal coronet Vert

Motto: Plus fait douceur, que violence (Better to make peace, not war)[45]

Honours: Order of the Garter;

align=center Arms of James Callaghan, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1976–1979

Escutcheon: Quarterly Vert and Azure in the former a Portcullis Or in the latter a Lymphad with an Anchor at its prow and masted Or the Sail set Argent and Pennants flying Gules overall a Fess Or to the sinister thereof a Grassy Mount with a Hurst of Oak Trees and issuing therefrom passant to the dexter a Wolf Proper

Coronet: that of a Baron

Crest: A Seadragon sejant Gules langued and scaled Or its Tail of the last and scaled Gules the Dorsal Fin also Gules about the neck a Mural Crown Or masoned Gules and supporting to the front with the Fin of the dexter foreleg a Portcullis also Or

Motto: Malo laborare quam languere (I prefer to work than be idle)[46]

Honours: Order of the Garter

align=center Arms of Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1979–1990

Lozenge: Per chevron Azure and Gules in chief two Lions rampant guardant the dexter contourny supporting between them a double-warded Key wards upward and in base a Tower Or its Portal Sable therein a Portcullis of the Third

Coronet: that of a Baroness

Supporters: on the dexter side on a Mount of Tussocks of Grass Proper a Male Figure representing an Admiral of the Fleet on active service holding in his exterior hand a Pair of Binoculars all Proper and on the sinister side on a Grassy Mount Vert a Male Figure representing Sir Isaac Newton holding in his exterior hand a Pair of Scales all Proper

Other elements: Garter circlet and appended Order of Merit insignia

Motto: Cherish freedom[47]

align=center Arms of John Major, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1990–1997

Escutcheon: Chequy Vert and Azure over all a Portcullis Or in chief three Torteaux Gules

Crest: A Demi-stag Gules attired and unguled Or langued Azure holding between its forelegs a double-warded Key Or wards ’M’ upwards and ribboned Gules Azure and Argent[48]

Supporters: On either side a Cricket standing upon a Parliamentary Despatch Box Proper[49]

Other elements: The Garter circlet surrounding the Shield and suspended below the Badge of a Companion of Honour.[50]

Motto: Adeste comites (Rally round, comrades)

align=center Arms of Tony Blair, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 1997–2007

Appointed a Knight of the Garter in 2021, Sir Tony Blair's shield and banner are displayed at St George's Chapel, Windsor. The carving of the crest was sculpted by Ian G Brennan.[51] The shield is depicted in the Dean of Windsor's tables.[52]

Crest: A mute Swan's head erased Proper holding in the beak a Rose Gules seeded Or barbed leaved and slipped Vert.

Torse" Azure, Or and Gules

Honours: Garter circlet surrounding the shield.

21st century

ArmsName of prime minister (including peerage title, if any) and heraldic blazon
align=center Gordon Brown, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 2007–2010

No arms known. As a Scotsman and member of Clan Broun, his arms if matriculated by the Lord Lyon King of Arms would be based on a differenced version (see Scottish heraldry) of the Clan Chief's arms:

align=center Arms of David Cameron, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 2010–2016; created Baron Cameron of Chipping Norton, 2023

Lord Cameron's great-great-grandfather, Sir Ewen Cameron, was granted arms by the Lord Lyon in 1905:[53] [54]

Lord Cameron has matriculated a version of these arms.[55] Since his mother is an heraldic heiress, he is also entitled to quarter the arms of Mount:[56] [57]

Escutcheon (paternal arms, undifferenced): Gules three Bars Or and in chief four Bezants

Coronet: that of a Baron

Crest: A Hand grasping a Sprig of Crowberries Proper

Motto: Bi Dhichioll (By best endeavours)[58]

Arms de jure matrimonii of Theresa May, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 2016–2019

Entitled to bear the arms of her husband, Sir Philip May, it is yet to be seen whether Lady May will apply for a grant of her own coat of arms from the College of Arms. Her arms correctly displayed would be on a lozenge rather than a shield.

Coronet: that of a Baroness

Escutcheon: Per fess Vert and Or three Pallets between four Roundels in bend counter changed.[59]

Motto: To thyself be true

align=center Boris Johnson, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 2019–2022No arms known
Liz Truss, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 2022No arms known. Entitled to bear the arms of her husband, Hugh O'Leary, it is yet to be seen whether Truss will apply for a grant of her own coat of arms from the College of Arms.
align=center Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 2022–2024No arms known[60]
align=center Keir Starmer, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, 2024–presentNo arms known

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Heraldry finds its purpose in the royal wedding . Telegraph . 2011-04-22 . 2015-12-16.
  2. Web site: Pelham, Baron (E, 1706–1768) . Cracroft's Peerage . 16 December 2015.
  3. Web site: Grenville, Baron (GB, 1790 – 1834) . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2003-02-10 . 2015-12-16.
  4. Web site: Guilford, Earl of (GB, 1752) . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16.
  5. Web site: Rockingham, Marquess of (GB, 1746 – 1782) . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16.
  6. Web site: Lansdowne, Marquess of (GB, 1784) . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16 . 2018-06-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180617023013/http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/online/content/lansdowne1784.htm#LANSDOWNE_1784_1 . live .
  7. Web site: Portland, Duke of (GB, 1716 – 1990) . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16.
  8. Web site: Chatham, Earl of (GB, 1766 – 1835) . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2003-01-10 . 2015-12-16.
  9. Web site: Sidmouth, Viscount (UK, 1805) . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16.
  10. Book: Howard. Joseph Jackson. Visitation of England and Wales. 1898. 89. 11 October 2017. en.
  11. Web site: Liverpool, Earl of (GB, 1796 – 1851) . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16 . 2016-07-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160707193747/http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/online/content/liverpool1796.htm . live .
  12. Web site: CANNING, George II (1778–1840), of Garvagh, co. Londonderry. | History of Parliament Online. www.historyofparliamentonline.org. Feb 8, 2021.
  13. Web site: www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk. Feb 8, 2021. March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304203431/http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/online/content/garvagh1818.htm. live.
  14. Web site: Ripon, Marquess of (UK, 1871 – 1923) . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714223306/http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/online/content/ripon1871.htm . live . July 14, 2014 . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16 .
  15. Web site: Wellington, Duke of (UK, 1814) . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16 . 2018-09-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180910004109/http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/online/content/wellington1814.htm . live .
  16. Book: Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knighthood. Burke's Peerage & Gentry . Burke, Sir Bernard . Bernard Burke . 76th . 1914 . 903. Burke . Burke's Peerage .
  17. Web site: Grey, Earl (UK, 1806) . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16 . 2018-06-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180617153902/http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/online/content/grey1806.htm . live .
  18. Book: Debrett's Peerage of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland . 862 . 2015-12-16. 1831 .
  19. Book: Dictionary of Heraldry . Charles Norton . Elvin, Elvin . 13 . 2015-12-16. 9780806304595 . 1999 . Genealogical Publishing Com .
  20. The Baronetage of England; Or the History of the English Baronets, and Such Baronets of Scotland, as are of English Families: With Genealogical Tables, and Engravings of Their Armorial Bearings, Volume 5. Author: W. Betham. Publisher: Warde and Betham. Published 1805.
  21. Book: Fox-Davies. Arthur Charles. A Complete Guide to Heraldry – Illustrated by Nine Plates and Nearly 800 Other Designs. Read Books Ltd. 9781446549032. 531. 11 October 2017. en. 2013-04-16.
  22. Book: Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knighthood. Burke's Peerage & Gentry . Mosley, Charles . Charles Mosley (genealogist) . 107 . 2003 . 3439 . Burke . 0-9711966-2-1. Burke's Peerage .
  23. Book: Mosley, Charles . Burke's Peerage & Baronetage, 107th edn . London . Burke's Peerage & Gentry Ltd . 3439 (RUSSELL, E) . 2003 . 0-9711966-2-1. Burke's Peerage .
  24. Web site: Derby, Earl of (E, 1485) . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16 . 2016-06-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160613161051/http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/online/content/derby1485.htm . live .
  25. The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, Comprising a Registry of Armorial Bearings from the Earliest to the Present Time Volume 2. Author: B. Burke.
  26. Book: Burke's Peerage . 1878 . 87.
  27. Book: Fairbairn. James. Fairbairn's Book of Crests of the Families of Great Britain and Ireland. 1892. Jack. 180. 11 October 2017. en.
  28. Armorial Families; a Directory of Some Gentlemen of Coat-Armour, Showing Which Arms in Use at the Moment Are Borne by Legal Authority. Compiled and edited by: A.C. Fox-Davies. Publisher: T.C. & E.C. Jack. Published: 1899 (third edition). p 305.
  29. Web site: Salisbury, Marquess of (GB, 1789) . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16 . 2016-03-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160310024833/http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/online/content/salisbury1789.htm . live .
  30. Web site: Rosebery, Earl of (S, 1703) . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16 . 2018-10-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181025150307/http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/online/content/rosebery1703.htm . live .
  31. Web site: Balfour, Earl of (UK, 1922) . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16 . 2019-07-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190702194653/http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/online/content/balfour1922.htm . live .
  32. Book: Campbell, Alastair . A History of Clan Campbell . 3 . . 2000 . 978-0-7486-1790-6 . 370.
  33. Armorial Families; a Directory of Some Gentlemen of Coat-Armour, Showing Which Arms in Use at the Moment Are Borne by Legal Authority. Compiled and edited by: A.C. Fox-Davies. Publisher: T.C. & E.C. Jack. Published: 1899 (third edition). p. 144.
  34. Book: A History of Clan Campbell: From origins to Flodden. Alastair Campbell Campbell of. Airds. Alastair. Campbell. Feb 8, 2000. Polygon at Edinburgh. 9781902930176. Feb 8, 2021. Google Books.
  35. Web site: Oxford and Asquith, Earl of (UK, 1925) . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16 . 2016-02-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160228112324/http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/online/content/oxford1928.htm . live .
  36. Web site: Lloyd George of Dwyfor, Earl (UK, 1945) . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16 . 2017-09-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170910060311/http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/online/content/lloydgeorge1945.htm . live .
  37. Web site: Baldwin of Bewdley, Earl (UK, 1937) . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16.
  38. Armorial Families; a Directory of Some Gentlemen of Coat-Armour, Showing Which Arms in Use at the Moment Are Borne by Legal Authority. Compiled and edited by: A.C. Fox-Davies. Publisher: T.C. & E.C. Jack. Published: 1899 (third edition). p 163.
  39. Web site: Marlborough, Duke of (E, 1702) . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16 . 2019-04-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190427001837/http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/online/content/marlborough1702.htm . live .
  40. Web site: Attlee, Earl (UK, 1955) . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16.
  41. Web site: Avon, Earl of (UK, 1961 – 1985) . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16 . 2016-03-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234221/http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/online/content/avon1961.htm . live .
  42. Web site: Stockton, Earl of (UK, 1984) . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16.
  43. Web site: Home, Earl of (S, 1604/5) . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16.
  44. Web site: Life Peerages – W . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16.
  45. Web site: Google Groups . Groups.google.com . 2015-12-16.
  46. Web site: Life Peerages – C . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16.
  47. Web site: Life Peerages – T . Cracroftspeerage.co.uk . 2015-12-16.
  48. Web site: The Heraldry Society of Scotland – Gaylor, John/Sir John Major KG . Heraldry-scotland.com . 2015-12-16 . 2015-12-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151222091902/http://heraldry-scotland.com/copgal/displayimage.php?album=33&pos=24 . dead .
  49. Web site: The development of English heraldry . Newcastle University . 4 February 2021.
  50. The Companion (Issue 9 Spring 2009). College of St. George (ed.), pp.4,5.
  51. Web site: Family Coats of Arms and Crests; individually carved and painted Coats of Arms and Crests by Heraldic sculptor Ian G Brennan . 25 June 2023 .
  52. Web site: 30th sovereign Queen Elizabeth II 6th Feb 1952. Bottom panel, left side. . 15 July 2023 . Baz Manning . 24 July 2023.
  53. Web site: July 2016 Newsletter (no. 47). College of Arms. Feb 8, 2021.
  54. yorkherald. 512169994281836544. Arms of Sir Ewen Cameron, ancestor of the Prime Minister, which were granted in Scotland in 1905..
  55. Web site: Lord Lyon: Update from the Lyon Court at the Scottish North American Community Conference 2020. YouTube. 4 October 2021 .
  56. Web site: The Arms of David Cameron. Somerset Heraldry Society Journal. Summer 2011. 7.
  57. Book: Burke's Peerage & baronetage . 1999 . . Crans, Switzerland . 978-2-940085-02-6 . 2013. 2.
  58. Book: Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles. Armorial Families: A Directory of Gentlemen of Coat-Armour. 1929. 7th. London. Hurst & Blackett. 297.
  59. Web site: It turns out Prime Minister Theresa May has Norwich City Football Club affiliations. Annabelle. dickson. Eastern Daily Press. 23 February 2017.
  60. https://inews.co.uk/news/long-reads/coat-of-arms-heraldry-design-family-logo-564190 www.inews.co.uk