The family coat of arms was granted to the Reed family by the College of Arms in London. Its design incorporates family and cotton weaving references.
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Heraldic bird
The moorhen – a reference to the family name of Moorby.
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The Reed Hook
The moorhen holds a reed hook used by weavers to take up ends in the loom in its claw.
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Heraldic helmet
Represents the town of Nelson where the Moorby and Reed families were based.
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Red Roses
The House of Lancaster – a reference to the 15th century War of the Roses.
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Cotton boll
The source of the family’s wealth.
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Reed hooks
The union of the two most powerful textile families through marriage in the 1930’s.
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The letter ‘O’
A pun on the village name of Blacko, where the family’s fourth weaving mill was located.
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Heraldic motto
‘Per vigore ed arte’ translates to ‘through perseverance and skill’. The family name is inserted in the motto – vigore ed.