Borough Coat of Arms

Heraldic Description: The Coat of Arms was assigned to the Borough by grant from the Kings of Arms on 4th August 1976. The design of a Coat of Arms embodies items which are symbolic of the area in which the Arms are to be used.

The following is a brief description of the constituent parts of the Arms described firstly in heraldic terms and secondly by reference to the symbolic nature of the items shown.

Arms: Barry wavy of six argent and azure overall a chevron pean. The background of six white and blue waves represents the River Tees, over which a chevron with five golden tails is placed to represent the Corporate identity of the five areas which came together to make up the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees.

Crest: On a wreath argent and sable, a gateway embattled between two towers or, the portcullis raised sable; enfilling the portal, an anchor erect gules; mantled azure double argent. A silver and black collar supports a golden castle with two towers and a black raised portcullis. A red anchor is depicted through the gateway. Between the shield and the castle is the closed helmet, which is appropriate to Civic Arms, with its decorative mantle in the same silver and blue colours of the shield. The golden castle represents the two former castles of Stockton-on-Tees and Stokesley Rural District Council, a part of which was incorporated within the new Borough boundaries and the anchor, whilst distinguishing the castle from that depicted on other Coats of Arms, associates Stockton with its historic port and seafaring traditions.

Supporters: On the dexter a lion guardant and on the sinister a sealion, also guardant, all or. On the left of the shield a lion represents the former areas of Thornaby-on -Tees and Billingham and is depicted full face; on the right of the shield a sealion represents Seal Sands and the former Stockton Rural District Council and is similarly shown full face; both supporters are coloured gold