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http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Content/culture/images/history.pdf

Official Coat of Arms of

Montgomery County, Maryland

 

The coat of arms uses some of the elements of the family

arms of General Richard Montgomery for whom the

County was named in 1776. It was designed and approved

by The College of Arms in London, England and

officially adopted by Bill 38-76 (now Section 1-401 of

the County Code) enacted by the County Council on

October 5, 1976 at the request of the County Executive.

Description of Coat of Arms

The broken spear at the top of the crest is probably an

award to an early member of the Montgomery family.

The spear and the armor encased forearm or cubit arm

are used by those Montgomery families that use the

motto “Gardez Bien” or Guard Well.

The pointed yellow and black flags at the top of the

crest were taken from the Maryland State coat of arms in

order to reflect Montgomery County’s relation with the

State of Maryland.

The gold mural crown is used by many municipalities

and the indented line at its top represents the borders of

a local government.

The helmet and mantling are of a style used in municipal

coats of arms.

The gold fleur-de-lis in two quarters of the shield are

reminders of the French ancestry of the Montgomery

family.

The gold rings with blue gemstones in two quarters of

the shield proclaim royal favor and protection, and are

found in the family coat of arms of General

Montgomery’s family.

The indented line which separates the upper quarters of

the shield from the lower quarters of the shield represents

the borders of a local government.