This text is provided by Durham County Record Office

Durham County Council Armorial Bearings

The arms are based on those of the Bishop of Durham. The blue shield with lions grasping swords and wearing coronets were used by the bishops. The cross charged with five black diamonds representing coal were added to create the County Council's arms in 1961 as was the mural crown normally reserved for County Councils. In 1974 the coat of arms for the new County Council remained the same except for the white rose in the centre of the cross in acknowledgement of the incorporation into the county of part of the former North Riding of Yorkshire.