Eastleigh RFC appear to have adopted the then Town Coat of Arms when reformed in 1931. Prior to that old photographs show the ‘skull and crossbones’ on the players shirts. Although the Town coat of Arms changed design in April 1974 [ when Bursledon and Hamble became part of the Borough of Eastleigh ] Eastleigh RFC retained the old Town Coat of Arms for its Club badge.

In only the last few years the Mini and Junior Section of the Club adopted the name of ’Eastleigh Pirates’, and their shirt badge shows the ’skull and crossbones’ motif with the date 1892. This date, 1892, is believed to be the date rugby was first played in Eastleigh, but an account of the Hants Rugby Cup Final between Portsmouth RFC and Eastleigh [ March 1892 ] indicates Eastleigh Town had a rugby team before this date.

The grant of armorial bearings is made by the Kings of Arms under the authority of the Earl Marshal to whom the function has been delegated by the Crown. Their possession is a dignity and has been described as a ’token of honour’.

Eastleigh’s origin as a Local Authority dates back to 1893, but it was not until 1933 that the former Urban District Council made their formal representation to the Earl Marshal. On 16 th January 1934 the Grant of Arms was made to the Borough under the hands and seals of Garter Principal King of Arms and Clarenceux and Norroy Kings of Arms. The following extract from the text of the Grant of Arms describes in heraldic language the arms:

Or, on a Bend chequy Sable and Argent between in Chief a Mitre of the second and in base a Lily leaved and slipped proper three Roses Gules barbed and seeded also proper: and for the Crest On a Wreath of the Colours in front of a rising Sun a winged Wheel Or.

The Bend chequy recalls the fact that Eastleigh was a manner held in chief of the King by the service of the holder as Chamberlain of the Royal Exchequer. This forms the background for the three Hampshire Roses Gules. According to tradition the red rose emblem was granted to the County by John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. In the top right-hand corner, the Bishop’s Mitre forms an obvious reference to the Bishops of Winchester and their connection with Bishopstoke. The Lily in the bottom left-hand corner is that of St Mary, the patron of the Churches at Bishopstoke and South Stoneham [ out of which Eastleigh was carved ].

Between the Field and the Crest stands the Helmet, surmounted by the rising sun [ progress ] and the winged wheel [ transport ] and these set off the whole design of the Arms.