Belfast Coat of Arms

Since 1895, the Belfast Lodge Past Masters Jewel (medal), which is presented each year to the outgoing Worshipful Master, has been decorated with the Belfast Coat of Arms.

The present Belfast Coat of Arms dates from 30 June 1890 when the Ulster King of Arms* made a Grant of Arms to the new city of Belfast. The motto ‘Pro tranto quid retribuamus’ comes from Psalm CXVI (116), verse 12 of the Bible. Translated from the Latin, it means ‘what return shall we make for so much’.

The precise origins and meanings of the symbols contained on the Coat of Arms are unknown. However, images such as the bell, the seahorse, the ship and the chained wolf were all used by 17th century Belfast merchants on their signs and coinage. The seahorse, which is used twice, shows the maritime importance of Belfast, as does the ship at the base of the shield. The name ‘Belfast’ also originates from the Gaelic ‘Beal Feirste’, which means ‘mouth of the river’.

* The office of Ulster King of Arms (and Principal Herald of Ireland) was established in 1552 by King Edward VI to replace the post of Ireland King of Arms, which had lapsed in 1487.
In 1943, the office of Ulster was combined with that of Norroy, and the Norroy and Ulster King of Arms now has jurisdiction over the counties of Northern Ireland as well as England north of the Trent. Norroy and Ulster has also acted as Registrar and King of Arms of the Order of St Patrick since 1943, though no knights of that Order have been created since 1934, and the last surviving knight died in 1974. Heraldic matters in the Republic of Ireland are handled by the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland.

The arms of Norroy and Ulster King of Arms date from 1980 and are blazoned Quarterly Argent and Or a Cross Gules on a Chief per pale Azure and Gules a Lion passant guardant Or crowned with an open Crown between a Fleur-de-lis and a Harp Or.
The current Norroy and Ulster King of Arms is Thomas Woodcock, LVO, BA (Durham), LLB (Cambridge), FSA, DL.Norroy
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | Date: 1996
Norroy third King of Arms, whose jurisdiction lies north of the Trent. XV (-ey). — AN. *norroi, f. (O)F. nord NORTH + roi king

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