Baron Airedale, of Gledhow in the West Riding of the County of York, was a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 17 July 1907 for the Liberal politician Sir James Kitson, 1st Baronet, who had previously represented Colne Valley in the House of Commons and served as Lord Mayor of Leeds. Kitson had already been created a Baronet, of Gledhow in the West Riding of the County of York, in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom 1886. Variations of the name Kitson included Kittson whose family crest incorporated a demi-unicorn. This unicorn is evident in the Airedale crest atop the arms granted to James Kitson, 1st Baron Airedale in 1907.[1] [2] Both the title (Barony) and Baronetcy became extinct on the death of his grandson, the fourth Baron, in 1996.
| Escutcheon: | Or on a pale Azure a pike haurient of the first a chief of the second thereon an annulet between two millrinds erect of the field. |
| Crest: | Issuant from park pales Proper a demi-unicorn Argent gorged with an annulet Azure. |
| Supporters: | On either side an owl close and affronteé Argent gorged with a collar Gules pendent therefrom an escutcheon of the arms. |
| Motto: | Palmam Qui Meruit Ferat [3] |