List of English flags

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of English flags, including symbolic national and sub-national flags, standards and banners used exclusively in England. The College of Arms is the authority on the flying of flags in England and maintains the only official register of flags. It was established in 1484 and as part of the Royal Household operates under the authority of The Crown.[1] A separate private body called the Flag Institute, financed by its own membership, also maintains a registry of United Kingdom flags that it styles 'the UK Flag Registry', though this has no official status under English law.[2]

Certain classes of flag enjoy a special status within English planning law and can be flown without needing planning permission as advertisements. These include any country's national flag, civil ensign or civil air ensign; the flag of the Commonwealth, the United Nations or any other international organisation of which the United Kingdom is a member; a flag of any island, county, district, borough, burgh, parish, city, town or village within the United Kingdom; the flag of the Black Country, East Anglia, Wessex, any Part of Lincolnshire, any Riding of Yorkshire or any historic county within the United Kingdom; the flag of St David; the flag of St Patrick; the flag of any administrative area within any country outside the United Kingdom; any flag of His Majesty's Armed Forces; the Armed Forces Day flag;[3] and the flags of the National Health Service. The flag of the European Union previously held this special status but this was revoked and instead granted to the flags of the NHS on 24 March 2021, owing to heightened advocacy for the latter institution brought about by the COVID-19 Pandemic and following the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union on 31 January 2020.[4]

National flag

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
1417–PresentFlag of England
(also known as the St George's Cross)
A centred red cross on a white background, 3:5.[5]
A vertical centred red cross on a white background.
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Royal banner

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
Thumb1042–1066Former Royal Banner of England

(Attributed)

A golden cross with fleur-de-lis ends over a blue field, surrounded by five golden martlets. This former Royal Banner was used by St Edward the Confessor, one of the last Anglo-Saxon English kings.
Thumbcirca 1200Present Royal Banner of EnglandThree gold lions (or leopards) passant on a red field. The Royal Banner of England is based on the Royal arms of England. The banner is neither a national flag or a royal standard, and only represents the ruling monarch exclusively in England. The Banner of England is included within the current Royal Standard, along with heraldic devices from the other constituent parts of the United Kingdom.
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Royal standards

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
Thumb1837Royal Standard of the United Kingdom. It is the banner of the king of the United Kingdom (King Charles III) in his capacity as king of the United Kingdom.Split into quarters, the first and fourth quarters contain three gold lions passant on a red field (representing England and Wales); the second quarter contains a red lion rampant on a gold field (representing Scotland); the third quarter contains a gold harp on a blue field (representing Ireland).
ThumbStandard of the Duchy of LancasterThe Royal Banner of England, with a three-point label, each containing three fleurs-de-lis
Thumb1305Standard of the Lord Warden of the Cinque PortsA banner of the Lord's coat of arms, featuring three lions passant guardant conjoined to three hulls, all in gold
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Government

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
Thumb1829Flag of the Greater London Metropolitan PoliceThe Badge of the Metropolitan Police on a blue background, with white squares at the edge
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Church

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
Thumb1417–PresentFlag of England
(also known as the St George's Cross)
A centred red cross on a white background, 3:5.[5] Churches belonging to the Church of England which have a pole may fly St George's Cross. A desirable variant is for the church to fly the flag with the arms of the diocese in the canton (left-hand upper corner).
Thumb1954Flag of the Anglican CommunionA dark blue background with the symbol of the Anglican Communion (a compass rose surmounted by a bishop's mitre; in the centre is a cross of St George). The Greek motto, Ἡ ἀλήθεια ἐλευθερώσει ὑμᾶς ("The truth will set you free") is a quotation from John 8:32.
ThumbFlag of Westminster AbbeyTudor arms between Tudor roses, above arms attributed to Edward the Confessor
ThumbFlag of the Church of St Margaret, Westminster AbbeyA blue flag defaced in the centre with a gold dragon's head pierced by a cross, and a gold crowned portcullis in the canton.
Thumb2014Flag of Exeter CathedralThe coat of arms of Exeter Cathedral on a field of blue.
ThumbFlag of Southwark CathedralA banner of the Cathedral's coat of arms.
ThumbFlag of Worcester CathedralThe Cross of Saint George defaced with the coat of arms of Worcester Cathedral in the canton.
Thumb2013Flag of the Church of St James the Great, BirlinghamThe Cross of Saint George impaled with a blue field defaced with three gold scallop shells of Saint James (two on the left and one on the right).
ThumbFlag of St James Church, Quedgeley[6]Three gold scallop shells of Saint James (two above and one below) on a field of red.
ThumbFlag of Saint AldhelmA white cross on a red field.
Thumb2021Flag of Saint Augustine of Canterbury[7]A white cross on a black field with a gold bishop's pallium topped by a small gold cross in the canton.
ThumbFlag of Saint Edmund the MartyrA red Saint George's Cross on a white field, defaced in the centre with a blue shield bearing two crossed gold arrows passing through a gold crown.
ThumbFlag of Saint Peter, Westminster AbbeyTwo crossed gold keys beneath a gold ring on a field of red. The symbols represent the two Patron Saints of the Abbey: the ring of Saint Edward the Confessor (founder of the Abbey), and the keys of Saint Peter.
ThumbFlag of Saint Richard of ChichesterA white cross on a red field with a white chalice in each quarter.
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Dioceses of the Church of England

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of Bath and WellsCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Bath and Wells in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of BirminghamCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Birmingham in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of BlackburnCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Blackburn in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of BristolCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Bristol in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of CanterburyCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Canterbury in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of CarlisleCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Carlisle in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of ChelmsfordCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Chelmsford in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of ChesterCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Chester in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of CoventryA banner of the Diocese's coat of arms.[8]
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of DerbyCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Derby in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of DurhamA banner of the Diocese's coat of arms.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of ElyCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Ely in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of ExeterCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Exeter in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of Gibraltar in EuropeCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of GloucesterCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Gloucester in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of GuildfordCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Guildford in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of HerefordCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Hereford in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of LeedsCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Leeds in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of LeicesterCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Leicester in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of LichfieldCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Lichfield in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of LincolnCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Lincoln in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of LondonCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of London in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of ManchesterCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Manchester in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of NewcastleCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Newcastle in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of NorwichCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Norwich in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of OxfordCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Oxford in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of PortsmouthCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Portsmouth in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of RochesterCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Rochester in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of SalisburyCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Salisbury in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of SheffieldCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Sheffield in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of SouthwarkCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Southwark in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of Southwell and NottinghamCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of St AlbansCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of St Albans in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of TruroCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Truro in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of WinchesterCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Winchester in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of WorcesterCross of St. George with the heraldic shield of the Diocese of Worcester in the canton.
ThumbFlag of the Diocese of YorkA banner of the Diocese's coat of arms.
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Regional flags

Flags of the former heptarchy of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms are registered as provincial flags:

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateRepresentsDescription
Thumb1900sThe arms ascribed to the Wuffingas dynasty. Three crowns on a blue shield, superimposed on a St George's Cross, 3:5.[9]
ThumbAncient
The flag of Essex is ancient in origin and features three Saxon seax (cutlasses) on a red field.[10]
Thumb1605
The flag of Kent has a red field with a white horse in the centre, 3:5.[11]
Thumb13th centuryThe Flag of Mercia, gold saltire on a blue field (Cross of St Alban), still flown on Tamworth Castle and a lighter version in St Albans.
ThumbAncientEight alternating stripes of gold and burgundy[c]
ThumbAncientKingdom of Sussex[a]Six gold martlets on a blue field. Officially adopted on 20 May 2011, 3:5.
Thumb1974[12]
  • Kingdom of Wessex[a]
  • Areas of England once covered by the kingdom
A gold wyvern on a red field. Registered 20 May 2011. Designed in 1974 by William Crampton.[13]
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Historic counties

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Perspective

All 39 of the historic counties have flags registered with the Flag Institute, with Leicestershire being the last county to declare its flag, as of 16 July 2021. Some flags are traditional, meaning their designs have long been associated with the county (or in some cases, such as Kent and Sussex, an ancient kingdom), while other flags are based on the County Council arms or are winners of recent design competitions. The dates indicate the flag's date of first appearance, description, or in more recent examples, its registration with the Flag Institute.

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
ThumbTraditional;
12 April 1951
Flag of Bedfordshirereg coaTraditional county flag. The red and yellow colours come from the Beauchamps family coat of arms. The vertical black stripe with three shells, or escallops, comes from the arms of the Dukes of Bedford. The wavy lines represent the River Great Ouse. A slightly updated version was registered with the Flag Institute on 14 September 2014 after Bedfordshire County Council was disbanded and replaced by two unitary authorities.
ThumbTraditional;
2 March 2017
Flag of BerkshireregTraditional badge: a stag beneath Herne the Hunter's oak.
ThumbTraditional;
20 May 2011
Flag of BuckinghamshireregTraditional county flag. A field party per pale of black and red with a white swan.
Thumb1 February 2015Flag of CambridgeshireregThe three gold crowns represent East Anglia, with wavy light blue lines representing the river Cam in the colours of Cambridge University on a dark blue background.

Thumb

3 May 1938 Flag of Cheshire Three golden sheaves of wheat and a golden blade on a blue background. The design has been associated with the Earldom of Chester since the 12th century, and has been used in the coat of arms of Chester since at least 1560.
Thumb19th centuryFlag of CornwallSt Pirran's Cross, a white cross on a black field.
Thumb19 September 1950Flag of CumberlandDesign based on the arms of the former Cumberland County Council.[14]
Thumb22 September 2006Flag of Derbyshirereg
A green cross with a white border on a sky blue field, with a gold Tudor rose in the centre, 3:5.[15]
Thumb23 July 2006Flag of Devon, alias St Petroc's Crossreg
A white cross with a black border on a green field, 3:5.[16]
Thumb16 September 2008Flag of Dorset – The Dorset Cross, aka St Wite's Crossreg
A white cross with a red border on a gold field, 3:5.[17]
Thumb21 November 2013Flag of County DurhamA gold and blue horizontal bicolour with St Cuthbert's Cross countercharged upon it, 3:5.[18]
ThumbAncientFlag of Essexreg
A red field with three white, gold hilted seax (Saxon swords).[10]
ThumbMarch 2008Flag of Gloucestershire – The Severn Crossreg
A mid-blue cross, outlined in cream, against an apple green background – the winning entry in a competition to commemorate the county's millennium.[19]
Thumb12 March 2019Flag of HampshireregA gold Saxon crown above a Tudor rose over a field of red and gold representing the former Saxon kingdom of Wessex.
Thumb2 November 2019Flag of HerefordshireregOn a dark red background, a white bull's head above three wavy lines, ordered white-blue-white.[20]
Thumb19 November 2008Flag of Hertfordshirereg coaAgainst eight blue and white wavy lines, representing the county's rivers, a gold shield bearing a resting deer or hart.[21]
Thumb25 June 2009Flag of HuntingdonshireregOn a green background, a gold, ribboned hunting horn – a flag displayed on the crest of the district council (and former county council) arms
Thumb1605Flag of Kentreg
A red field with a white horse in the centre, 3:5.[11]
ThumbModern form since 20 November 2008Flag of Lancashirereg
The Red Rose of Lancashire on a yellow field (originally a white field).[22][23]
Thumb16 July 2021Flag of Leicestershirereg
A red and white dancetté background, taken from the arms of Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester; the Cinquefoil of the de Beaumont Earls of Leicester; and the running fox from the county's crest, used on many of the county organisations' emblems.[24]
Thumb24 October 2005Flag of Lincolnshirereg
A red cross with yellow trimming on a blue and green field, and a yellow fleur de lys in the middle of the cross.[25]
Thumb1909Flag of MiddlesexregA red field with three white, gold-hilted Saxon swords or seax under a gold Saxon crown.[26]
Thumb11 September 2014Flag of NorfolkregErmine bend from top left to bottom right on a gold and black field.[27]
Thumb11 September 2014Flag of NorthamptonshireregA gold cross with a black border on a maroon field with a rose in the centre.[28]
Thumb7th century (modern form 1951)Flag of Northumberlandreg coaHistorical flag readopted in 1951 and used officially by the county council, and later released by the council and registered as the flag of the historic county. Eight yellow rectangles on a red field; note that the canton (top corner nearest the flagpole) should be gold.[29]
Thumb20 May 2011Flag of NottinghamshireregThe inescutcheon represents Robin Hood.
Thumb2017 onFlag of OxfordshireThe arms of the pre-1974 County Council: blue with a red ox head on a double bend wavy, between a wheatsheaf and an oak. (Registered by the Flag Institute)[30]
Thumb17 November 2015Flag of Rutlandreg coaA green field semée of acorns with a golden horseshoe in the centre
ThumbMarch 2012Flag of ShropshireregThe leopards' faces, fondly referred to as "loggerheads" locally, are a traditional emblem for Shropshire and have historically evolved from the loggerheads on the Shrewsbury town arms. The erminois aspect differentiates the county flag from that of its county town.
Thumb4 July 2013Flag of SomersetregA red dragon rampant on a gold field, from a longstanding local badge; the winning entry in a competition.
Thumb28 March 2016Flag of StaffordshireregA red chevron on a gold field, with a gold Stafford knot, the county's longstanding symbol. All elements are taken from the de Stafford coat of arms. Designed by the Staffordshire Heritage Group and chosen by the Flag Institute over the county council's own flag after a public vote.[31]
Thumb9 October 2017Flag of SuffolkregDerived from the arms attributed to Saint Edmund the Martyr.[32]
Thumb11 September 2014Flag of SurreyregChequey Or and azure; a traditional design derived from a personal coat of arms first recorded in the 11th century.[33]
Thumb20 May 2011Flag of SussexregSix gold martlets on blue are the traditional emblem of Sussex.[34] This flag is for public use by the entire shire county of Sussex and its people.[35]
Thumb15 August 2016Flag of WarwickshireregThe traditional bear and ragged staff badge, shown white on red; the badge is from that of the Earls of Warwick.
Thumb30 September 2011Flag of WestmorlandregA golden heraldic apple tree on white and red bars. Westmorland is now part of the ceremonial county of Cumbria.
Thumb5 June 2007Flag of WiltshireregAlternating stripes of green and white represent the grassy downs of the county and their chalk underlay. The colours can represent hope, joy and safety (green) and peace (white). In the centre, the male great bustard is depicted in gold on a solid green circle to represent the open grassland. The circle is bordered in six sections alternating green and white, representing the stone circles of Stonehenge and Avebury in the county. The six portions also represent the six surrounding counties of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, Dorset and Somerset.
Thumb8 April 2013Flag of WorcestershireregBlack pears appear in the arms of the City of Worcester, and as such have long been considered a county badge, reportedly dating back to the Battle of Agincourt. The county flag was established by a competition in 2013.[36]
Thumb1965 or earlierFlag of YorkshireregThe White Rose of York (the traditional county emblem) on a blue field.[37]
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Ceremonial counties

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Perspective

The counties and areas for the purposes of the lieutenancies, also referred to as the lieutenancy areas of England[38] and informally known as ceremonial counties,[39] are 48 areas of England to which lords-lieutenant are appointed. Legally, the areas in England, as well as in Wales and Scotland, are defined by the Lieutenancies Act 1997 as "counties and areas for the purposes of the lieutenancies in Great Britain", in contrast to the areas used for local government. They are also informally known as "geographic counties",[40] to distinguish them from other types of counties of England.

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
ThumbTraditional;
12 April 1951
Flag of Bedfordshirereg coaThe red and yellow colours come from the Beauchamps family coat of arms. The vertical black stripe with three shells, or escallops, comes from the arms of the Dukes of Bedford. The wavy lines represent the River Great Ouse. A slightly updated version was registered with the Flag Institute on 14 September 2014 after Bedfordshire County Council was disbanded and replaced by two unitary authorities.
ThumbTraditional;
2 March 2017
Flag of BerkshireregTraditional badge: a stag beneath Herne the Hunter's oak.
ThumbDate registeredFlag of BristolNo registered official ceremonial county flag.
ThumbTraditional;
20 May 2011
Flag of BuckinghamshireregA field party per pale of black and red with a white swan.
Thumb1 February 2015Flag of CambridgeshireregBanner of the arms of Cambridgeshire County Council is used: wavy and straight blue lines representing the rivers and drains, and a tressure from the arms of the former Cambridgeshire and the Isle of Ely County Council.
Thumb3 May 1938Flag of CheshireThree golden sheaves of wheat and a golden blade on a blue background. The design has been associated with the Earldom of Chester since the 12th century, and has been used in the coat of arms of Chester since at least 1560.
Thumb1381Flag of the City of London
(Ceremonial county and city flag)
A red cross on a white field, with a red sword in the canton. The City of London (excluding Greater London) is England's smallest ceremonial county and measures approximately 1 square mile (2.6 km2). The City of London is officially not part of Greater London or its 32 borough's.
ThumbTraditionalFlag of Cornwall – St Pirran's CrossA white cross on a black field.
ThumbDate registeredFlag of CumbriaNo registered official ceremonial county flag.
Thumb22 September 2006Flag of Derbyshirereg
A green cross with a white border on a sky blue field, with a gold Tudor rose in the centre, 3:5.[15]
Thumb23 July 2006Flag of Devon, alias St Petroc's Crossreg
A white cross with a black border on a green field, 3:5.[16]
Thumb16 September 2008Flag of Dorset – The Dorset Cross, aka St Wite's Crossreg
A white cross with a red border on a gold field, 3:5.[17]
Thumb21 November 2013Flag of DurhamA gold and blue horizontal bicolour with St Cuthbert's Cross countercharged upon it, 3:5.[18]
Thumb18 April 2013Flag of East Riding of Yorkshire (Ceremonial county)A Yorkshire white rose, displayed in the East Riding style with one sepal at the top, set against a bi-colour of blue at the hoist, representing the sea and the historic maritime activities of the East Riding and green in the fly symbolising the locality's rich agricultural land. Additionally, the blue hoist colour signifies the East Riding's connection to the whole of Yorkshire whilst the green is placed towards the fly to represent its position in the east of the county.
ThumbDate registeredFlag of East SussexNo registered official ceremonial county flag, although it shares a historic county flag with West Sussex.
ThumbAncientFlag of Essexreg
A red field with three white, gold hilted seax (Saxon swords).[10]
ThumbMarch 2008Flag of Gloucestershire – The Severn Crossreg
A mid-blue cross, outlined in cream, against an apple green background – the winning entry in a competition to commemorate the county's millennium.[19]
ThumbDate registeredFlag of Greater LondonNo registered official ceremonial county flag.
ThumbDate registeredFlag of Greater ManchesterUnnofficial ceremonial county flag.
Thumb12 March 2019Flag of HampshireregA gold Saxon crown above a Tudor rose over a field of red and gold representing the former Saxon kingdom of Wessex.
Thumb2 November 2019Flag of HerefordshireregOn a dark red background, a white bull's head above three wavy lines, ordered white-blue-white.[20]
Thumb19 November 2008Flag of Hertfordshirereg coaAgainst eight blue and white wavy lines, representing the county's rivers, a gold shield bearing a resting deer or hart.[21]
ThumbJanuary 2009Flag of the Isle of Wight (Ceremonial county and Island) regA white lozenge with an upper indent or "pile" on a light blue background, over six wavy stripes of blue and white. The Isle of Wight became administered by its own county council in 1890, but was formally part of Hampshire up until the local government reforms of 1974 when it became a full ceremonial county with its own Lord Lieutenant.[41]
Thumb1605Flag of Kentreg
A red field with a white horse in the centre, 3:5.[11]
ThumbModern form since 20 November 2008Flag of Lancashirereg
The Red Rose of Lancashire on a yellow field (originally a white field).[22][23]
Thumb16 July 2021Flag of Leicestershirereg
A red and white dancetté background, taken from the arms of Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester; the Cinquefoil of the de Beaumont Earls of Leicester; and the running fox from the county's crest, used on many of the county organisations' emblems.[24]
Thumb24 October 2005Flag of Lincolnshirereg
A red cross with yellow trimming on a blue and green field, and a yellow fleur de lys in the middle of the cross.[25]
ThumbDate registeredFlag of MerseysideNo registered official ceremonial county flag.
Thumb11 September 2014Flag of NorfolkregErmine bend from top left to bottom right on a gold and black field.[27]
ThumbDate registeredFlag of North YorkshireNo registered official ceremonial county flag.
Thumb11 September 2014Flag of NorthamptonshireregA gold cross with a black border on a maroon field with a rose in the centre.[28]
Thumb7th century (modern form 1951)Flag of Northumberlandreg coaHistorical flag readopted in 1951 and used officially by the county council, and later released by the council and registered as the flag of the historic county. Eight yellow rectangles on a red field; note that the canton (top corner nearest the flagpole) should be gold.[29]
Thumb20 May 2011Flag of NottinghamshireregThe inescutcheon represents Robin Hood.
Thumb2017 onFlag of OxfordshireThe arms of the pre-1974 County Council: blue with a red ox head on a double bend wavy, between a wheatsheaf and an oak. (Registered by the Flag Institute)[42]
Thumb17 November 2015Flag of Rutlandreg coaA green field semée of acorns with a golden horseshoe in the centre
ThumbMarch 2012Flag of ShropshireregThe leopards' faces, fondly referred to as "loggerheads" locally, are a traditional emblem for Shropshire and have historically evolved from the loggerheads on the Shrewsbury town arms. The erminois aspect differentiates the county flag from that of its county town.
Thumb4 July 2013Flag of SomersetregA red dragon rampant on a gold field, from a longstanding local badge; the winning entry in a competition.
ThumbDate registeredFlag of South YorkshireNo registered official ceremonial county flag.
Thumb28 March 2016Flag of StaffordshireregA red chevron on a gold field, with a gold Stafford knot, the county's longstanding symbol. All elements are taken from the de Stafford coat of arms. Designed by the Staffordshire Heritage Group and chosen by the Flag Institute over the county council's own flag after a public vote.[31]
Thumb9 October 2017Flag of SuffolkregDerived from the arms attributed to Saint Edmund the Martyr.[32]
Thumb11 September 2014Flag of SurreyregChequey Or and azure; a traditional design derived from a personal coat of arms first recorded in the 11th century.[33]
ThumbDate registeredFlag of Tyne and WearNo registered official ceremonial county flag.
Thumb15 August 2016Flag of WarwickshireregThe traditional bear and ragged staff badge, shown white on red; the badge is from that of the Earls of Warwick.
ThumbDate registeredFlag of West MidlandsNo registered official ceremonial county flag.
ThumbDate registeredFlag of West SussexNo registered official ceremonial county flag, although it shares a historic county flag with East Sussex.
ThumbDate registeredFlag of West YorkshireNo registered official ceremonial county flag.
Thumb5 June 2007Flag of WiltshireregAlternating stripes of green and white represent the grassy downs of the county and their chalk underlay. The colours can represent hope, joy and safety (green) and peace (white). In the centre, the male great bustard is depicted in gold on a solid green circle to represent the open grassland. The circle is bordered in six sections alternating green and white, representing the stone circles of Stonehenge and Avebury in the county. The six portions also represent the six surrounding counties of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, Dorset and Somerset.
Thumb8 April 2013Flag of WorcestershireregBlack pears appear in the arms of the City of Worcester, and as such have long been considered a county badge, reportedly dating back to the Battle of Agincourt. The county flag was established by a competition in 2013.[36]
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Islands

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
Thumb14 April 2010Flag of the Isle of PortlandregThe colours represent the landscape of the area: Portland stone, grass and the sea. The white tower represents the castles and the naval coronet shows the long connection with the Royal Navy.[43]
Thumb2019Flag of the Isle of Purbeckreg
An island in name only; not geographically an island.
Symbols include a curving wave, an ammonite and fish. The island's flag day is 26 November.[44]
ThumbJanuary 2009Flag of the Isle of Wight regA white lozenge with an upper indent or "pile" on a light blue background, over six wavy stripes of blue and white. The Isle of Wight became administered by its own county council in 1890, but was formally part of Hampshire up until the local government reforms of 1974 when it became a full ceremonial county with its own Lord Lieutenant.[41]
Thumb1954–1969,
2010–present
Flag of LundyA blue flag with a white letter "L" on the hoist side.[45][46]
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Local government areas

Summarize
Perspective

Heraldic bearings are granted to individuals and corporations by the Lord Lyon in Scotland or by the College of Arms in England, Northern Ireland and Wales on behalf of the sovereign as the fount of all honours. Local authority flags come within this category when based on the arms granted to that authority, and such a flag is the authority's personal property, representing that authority rather than its area.

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
ThumbFormer Bedfordshire Council bannerRed and gold quarters split horizontally by blue and white waves and vertically with a black band containing three white shells.

The red and gold quarters are from the arms of the Beauchamps, the leading family in the county after the Norman Conquest. The waves signify the River Great Ouse, and the shells are from the arms of the Russell Family, commemorating their services to the state and to the county.

ThumbBerkshire's banner of armsTwo lions passant (referencing Berkshire's Royal and Norman connections) and a Saxon Crown (referencing Berkshire's formative Saxon history) on a white background.
ThumbFlag of Cambridgeshire CouncilLocal authority flag. Gold with a red bordure based on the Scottish tressure. The blue wavy pallets represent the many rivers of the county, while the straight pallets are for the drains and dykes that run through the Fenlands.
ThumbFlag of the former Cheshire CouncilLocal authority flag. A trio of golden wheatsheaves on blue which have been associated with the Earldom of Chester since the late 12th century.
ThumbFlag of the former Cleveland County CouncilLocal authority flag.
ThumbFlag of Cumbria CouncilOn the green border are Parnassus flowers (representing Cumberland) interspersed with white roses (Yorkshire) superimposed with red roses (Lancashire). The centre of the shield is made up of segments of blue, white, yellow and green divided by wavy vertical lines and zig-zag horizontal lines. This depicts the new County and from left to right the vertical lines of segments show: blue and white for the sea, blue and yellow (gold) for the lakes and agriculture, green and white for mountains and lakes and green and yellow (gold) for mountains and agriculture.
ThumbFlag of Dorset CouncilThree red lions passant (referencing Dorset's Royal and Norman connections) and a fleur-de-lys on a white background. Banner of the Dorset Council Arms.
ThumbFlag of Durham County CouncilLocal authority flag. A yellow cross on a blue field with lions rampant in each quarter, the centre of the cross is broken with a white rose of York (to represent the area of Yorkshire in Teesdale administered by the council) and black diamonds on each arm. Flag modified from the arms of the Bishopric of Durham[47]
ThumbFlag of East Riding of Yorkshire CouncilLocal authority flag based on the coat of arms.
Thumb1975Flag of East Sussex CouncilThe banner of arms was granted to East Sussex County Council by the College of Arms in 1975.[48]
Thumb1965-1986Former Flag of Greater London CouncilThe former flag of the Greater London Council (1965-1986), a local government body which merged Middlesex with parts of Surrey, Kent, Essex and Hertfordshire to form Greater London. The GLC replaced the earlier London County Council (1889-1965).
Thumb2020Flag of Greater London AuthorityThe corporate flag of the Greater London Authority. It is not the ceremonial county flag for Greater London, as no such current design exists. Other administrative flags were previously used officially between 1965 and 1984 by the Greater London Council and the County of London between 1889 and 1965. Both were based on the coats of arms of those councils.[49]
ThumbFormer Greater Manchester Council flagLocal authority flag. "Gules, ten Towers three two three two, all within a Bordure embattled Or".
ThumbFlag of Hampshire CouncilHampshire County Council local authority flag. This is a corporate flag, not the ceremonial county flag of Hampshire.
ThumbFlag of Herefordshire CouncilLocal authority flag. The red field represents the county's red earth. Across this runs a white and blue wave for the River Wye. In chief is a gold lion from the arms of the City of Hereford, and in base is a Herefordshire Bull's head.
ThumbNovember 2008Flag of HertfordshirecoaAgainst eight blue and white wavy lines, representing the county's rivers, a gold shield bearing a resting deer or hart. (Also used as a county flag.)[21]
Thumb1938Flag of Isle of Wight CouncilCounty council flag. Features a representation of Carisbrooke Castle against a surrounding blue field and three gold anchors represent the island's status and maritime history.
ThumbFlag of Lancashire County CouncilA banner of the council's coat of arms.
ThumbFlag of Leicestershire Council
The flag is divided into four quarters. The first quarter is a cinquefol, or five within a red circle, the second quarter is charged a white lion with two tails on a red ground, the third quarter shows an ermine plume on a red ground and the fourth shows a black maunch.[50]
Thumb1 April 1974 to 31 March 1986Former Merseyside Council flagThe waves represent the River Mersey; the six golden mural crowns represent the six County Boroughs—Birkenhead, Bootle, Liverpool, Southport, St Helens, and Wallasey—that Merseyside was created from..
ThumbFlag of Norfolk CouncilThe top part of the flag shows a lion from the Royal arms of England together with ostrich plumes and coronet referring to the Prince of Wales. This is a very special honour for the County Council, the King, in the Royal Licence, specifically instructs on the design of the arms to be granted "in commemoration of our long residence in Norfolk". This of course refers to Sandringham. The lower part of the flag comprises the arms attributed to Ralph de Gael or Guader, first Earl of Norfolk circa 1069. The ermine may well refer to Brittany as Ralph was Lord of Gael in that Duchy.
Thumb7th century (modern form 1951)Flag of NorthumberlandHistorical flag readopted in 1951 and used officially by the county council, and later released by the council and registered as the flag of the historic county. Eight yellow rectangles on a red field, note that the canton (top corner nearest the flagpole) should be gold.[29]
ThumbFlag of Nottinghamshire CouncilLocal authority flag. The wave is for River Trent and the oak tree for Sherwood Forest.
ThumbFlag of Rutland CouncilLocal authority flag. A green background strewn with golden acorns, surrounding a central golden horseshoe.
ThumbFlag of Somerset CouncilLocal authority flag. A red dragon on a yellow field, bearing a blue mace – a banner of the county arms.[51]
ThumbFormer South Yorkshire CouncilFlag based on the council's arms.
ThumbFlag of Staffordshire CouncilLocal authority flag. All the devices on the flag come from arms of various Earls of Stafford. The red chevron on gold was the arms of the de Staffords. It is charged with the family's famous Stafford knot badge. The lion represents the authority of the council.
ThumbFlag of Suffolk CouncilLocal authority flag. Coat of arms of Suffolk on a gold background. The main charge in the arms is the sun rising over the sea. Suffolk is the most easterly county in England and thus the first to see the sun rise. The open crowns and crossed arrows refer to Bury St Edmunds and have been widely used in the arms of Suffolk towns and districts.
ThumbFlag of Surrey CouncilLocal authority flag. Divided into halves, blue and black, with two gold keys representing the Chertsey Abbey, a woolpack on blue and a sprig of oak on black. (a banner of the modern coat of arms of Surrey County Council).
ThumbFormer Tyne and Wear Council flagFormer local authority flag.
ThumbFormer West Midlands Council flagLocal authority flag. The flag has two dancetty barrulets interlaced to form a W and M representing the initials of "West Midlands".
Thumb1889-1974Former West Sussex Council flagBlue and gold flag with six golden martlets. Old 1889-1974 West Sussex County Council flag.[48]
Thumb2008–PresentWest Sussex Council flagA blue banner with 7 light blue wavy lines with the crowned coat of arms in the centre in white.[48]
ThumbFlag of Wiltshire CouncilA banner of the council's coat of arms.
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Cities

Summarize
Perspective

This is a list of officially recognised flags for various cities in England. Where listed as 'official', they have been registered by the Flag Institute charity or another official source. This list may be incomplete, please add official flags with sources showing the official flag design.

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseCeremonial CountyDescription
Thumb Official community design[52]2015 Flag of Birmingham
(City and Metropolitan borough)
West MidlandsGolden vertical zig-zag offset to hoist dividing blue and red, with a bulls head in the centre. Updated in 2015 from the 1977 banner of arms.
Thumb Official design2018[53] Flag of Coventry
(City and metropolitan borough).
West MidlandsSilhouette of Lady Godiva on a white field with two stripes in the traditional shade of Coventry Blue. Updated in 2018 from the 1345 arms flag depicting an Elephant.[54]
Thumb 1615 (Arms)Flag of Durham
(City and civil parish)
County DurhamA red cross outlined in white on a black field.[citation needed]
Thumb 1620 (Arms)Flag of Plymouth
(City and unitary authority)[citation needed]
DevonArms of Plymouth City Council set on a red field.
Thumb 1194, 1622, 1686 (Arms)Flag (or Banner of arms) of Portsmouth
(City and unitary authority)
HampshireA crescent of gold on a shade of azure, with a blazing star of eight points. Portsmouth's original 1194 arms are based on those used by King Richard I and William de Longchamp, who granted Portsmouth its town charter in 1194. Portsmouth's arms predate the College of Arms, but were confirmed by Heraldic visitations in 1622 (by John Philipot) and in 1686 (by Henry St George, the younger).[55] The Portsmouth arms are officially owned by Portsmouth City Council.[55]
Thumb 2012[56]Flag of Preston
(City and non-metropolitan district)
LancashireA Paschal Lamb couchant Argent supporting a Cross-Staff Or taken from the coat of arms of c.1613[57] on a white cross, enlaid with a blue cross, on a blue field.
Thumb Recognised design2017[58]Flag of Southampton
(City and unitary authority)
HampshireAn anchor and Tudor Rose on a red and white field. Updated in 2017 from the arms flag of 1575.[59]
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Towns

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
Thumb2014Flag of Appleby-in-Westmorlandreg
(Town and civil parish, Cumbria)
A gold apple tree on a blue field.
Thumb2020Flag of Bexhill-on-Seareg
(Town and civil parish, East Sussex)
A red saltire on a counter-changed field of green and white.
Thumb2017Flag of Bloxwichreg
(Town and civil parish, West Midlands)
A counter-changed black and green cross on a white field with a rampant black lion in the canton and a green tree in the hoist.
Thumb2009Flag of Calnereg
(Town and civil parish, Wiltshire)
Thumb2016Flag of Caterhamreg
(Town, Surrey)
Thumb2016Flag of Heathfieldreg
(Town, East Sussex)
A flag divided from top-left to bottom-right by a white line, with a white cuckoo on black in the hoist, and a white tower (defaced with a green key) on green in the fly.
Thumb2011Flag of Kingswinfordreg
(Town, West Midlands)
Thumb2013Flag of Newburyreg
(Town, Berkshire)
Thumb2009Flag of Newton Abbot
(Town and civil parish, Devon)
A stylised image of St Leonard's Tower in the centre of a modified flag of Devon. The green represents the moors, the black the granite and the white the clay of the surrounding area. The cross is also used to represent a major crossroads in the town which converged on the clock tower. The arms of the cross represent the routes to Exeter and London, Bovey Tracey and the moors, Totnes and Plymouth, and Torquay and Brixham.[60][61]
Thumb2012Flag of Penrithreg
(Town and civil parish, Cumbria)
A red saltire on white with blue knot/flowers in each quarter.
Thumb2008Flag of Petersfieldreg
(Town and civil parish, Hampshire)
Thumb2020Flag of Poolereg
(Town, Dorset)
Thumb2012Flag of St Annes-on-the-Seareg
(Town, Lancashire)
Thumb2019Flag of Wadhurstreg
(Town and civil parish, East Sussex)
A golden-orange "W" shape on a green field, with three white six-pointed estoiles between the arms of the "W".
Thumb2014Flag of Willenhallreg
(Town and civil parish, West Midlands)
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Villages

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
Thumb2016Flag of Cromfordreg
(Village and civil parish, Derbyshire)
Thumb2014Flag of Evenleyreg
(Village and civil parish, Northamptonshire)
Thumb2012Flag of Florereg
(Village and civil parish, Northamptonshire)
Thumb2016Flag of Four Elmsreg
(Village, Kent)
Thumb2014Flag of Hampton Poylereg
(Village, Oxfordshire)
Thumb2014Flag of Horningseareg
(Village, Cambridgeshire)
Thumb2019Flag of Mardenreg
(Village and civil parish, Herefordshire)
Thumb2014Flag of Nentheadreg
(Village, Cumbria)
Thumb2014Flag of Pewseyreg
(Village and civil parish, Wiltshire)
Thumb2013Flag of Stainingreg
(Village and civil parish, Lancashire)
Thumb2013Flag of Wingreg
(Village and civil parish, Buckinghamshire)
Thumb2015Flag of Wreayreg
(Village, Cumbria)
Thumb2009Flag of Wroxtonreg
(Village and civil parish, Oxfordshire)
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University flags

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
ThumbFlag of the University of Bristol
ThumbFlag of the University of Cambridge[62]
ThumbFlag of the University of East Anglia
ThumbFlag of the University of HullThe Cross of Saint George defaced in the centre with the university's coat of arms.
ThumbFlag of the University of London
ThumbFlag of the University of OxfordAn open book with the inscription Dominus Illuminatio Mea (Latin for "The Lord is my light"), surrounded by three golden crowns (two above and one below) on a blue field.
ThumbFlag of the University of Roehampton[63]
ThumbFlag of the University of Warwick
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Other flags

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
Thumb1998Flag of the Campaign for an English Parliament
Thumb1984Flag of English Heritage
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Historical flags

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Perspective

Royal standards

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
Thumb
1042–1066Royal Banner of King Edward the ConfessorA golden cross with fleur-de-lis ends over a blue field, surrounded by five golden martlets. This former Royal Banner was used by St Edward the Confessor, one of the last Anglo-Saxon English kings.
Thumb
1066Banner of King Harold IIThe reconstruction of the "Fighting Man Banner" mentioned by William of Poitiers. Was the military standard or personal banner of Harold Godwinson who led the Anglo-Saxon army in the Battle of Hastings (1066) against the Norman invaders.
Thumb1198–1340Royal Banner of King Richard IGules three lions passant guardant in pale Or armed and langued Azure,[64][65] meaning three gold lions with blue tongues and claws, walking and facing the observer, arranged in a column on a red background. It forms the first and fourth quarters of the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom.
Thumb1340–1395
1399–1406
Royal Banner of King Edward IIIThe Coat of Arms of England quartered with the Royal Standard of France, the fleurs-de-lis representing Edward III's claim to the French throne.
Thumb1395–1399Royal Banner of King Richard IIThe Coat of Arms of England impaled with attributed arms of King Edward The Confessor (symbolising mystical union).
Thumb1406–1422
1461–1470
1471–1554
1558–1603
Royal Banner of King Henry IVThe French quartering has been altered to three fleurs-de-lis.
Thumb1422–1461
1470–1471
Royal Banner of King Henry VIThe Coat of Arms of France impaled with the Coat of Arms of England, symbolising the dual monarchy of England and France.
Thumb1554–1558Royal Banner of Queen Mary I and King PhilipThe Coat of Arms of Habsburg Spain impaled with the Coat of Arms of England.
Thumb1603–1689,
1702–1707
Royal Standard of the House of Stuart, used first by James VI and IA banner of the Royal Coat of Arms of James I, first and fourth quarters representing England and the English claim to the French throne, second quarter representing Scotland, third quarter representing Ireland. This was the last royal banner of the Kingdom of England.
Thumb1689–1694Royal Standard of King William III and II and Queen Mary IIA banner of the joint Royal Coat of Arms of William III and Mary II, consisting of the Coat of Arms of England defaced with an inescutcheon for the House of Nassau (representing William) and impaled with another undefaced version of the same Coat of Arms (representing Mary).
Thumb1694–1702Royal Standard of King William III and IIA banner of the Royal Coat of Arms of William III, first and fourth quarters representing England and the English claim to the French throne, second quarter representing Scotland, third quarter representing Ireland, with an inescutcheon for the House of Nassau.
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National flags and ensigns

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
Thumb
Thumb
Anglo-Saxon eraReputedly to symbolise Anglo-Saxon England[66]In Historia Brittonum, two dragons appear. The red dragon symbolised the Welsh while a white dragon symbolised the Anglo-Saxons. A dragon (known later in heraldry as a wyvern) also later appears twice in the death scene of King Harold II on the Bayeux Tapestry depicting the Battle of Hastings in 1066.[66]

The Modern White Dragon Flag of England is based on a legend in Geoffrey of Monmouth's "History of the Kings of Britain".[67] In modern times, it is often used by far-right English nationalist organisations.[68]

Thumb1620–1707English Red EnsignEnsign of the red squadron with the Flag of England in the canton
Thumb1620–1702English White EnsignEnsign of the white squadron with the Flag of England in the canton
Thumb1702–1707English White EnsignEnsign of the white squadron with the Flag of England in the canton with large cross of St George placed upon a white background
Thumb1620–1707English Blue EnsignEnsign of the blue squadron with the Flag of England in the canton
Thumb1606–1801First Union Jack/Flag of the United Kingdom of Great BritainThe first Union Flag (also known as the King's Colours) with the Cross of St George placed upon the Flag of Scotland
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County flags

More information Flag, Date ...
FlagDateUseDescription
Thumbpre–2008Unofficial flag of LancashireThe Red Rose of Lancashire on a white field. It was denied registration by the Flag Institute, due to being almost identical to the already registered flag of the town of Montrose, Angus.
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See also

Notes

  1. Registered by the Flag Institute, a UK vexillology organisation that documents, guides and promotes the design, research and use of flags, but does not hold official status or authority.
  2. Designed by the College of Arms, the only legal body to grant official arms.
  3. Historic: gold and purple; alternative: gold and red; registered: gold and burgundy

References

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