Finchley and Friern Barnet Coats of Arms

Friern Barnet's Coat of Arms was granted to Friern Barnet in October 1938, while Finchley's coat of arms was granted in July 1933. The different parts of the shields and their supporters (the animals on either side) represent different parts of these two areas' history.

In the Friern Barnet shield there is a white stripe between two green verges. This represents the Great North Road, which ran through the parish. The fleur-de-lis are a reminder of Elizabeth I, who was reputed to have come to the area often. The cross over the head of the stag represents the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, who were the manorial lords of Friern Barnet, and from whom the word Friern (meaning belonging to the brothers) comes. The stag, or buck's, head is a reminder of Enfield Chase near by.

On the coat of arms of Finchley, the ragged chevron (the upward pointed bar) represents the ancient Finchley Wood. The Tudor rose in the middle of the chevron and the horns on the shield represent the use of Finchley Woods for hunting by royalty during the medieval period. The mitre represents the Bishop of London who was lord of the manor. The lion represents another manorial family called Compton (after whom Compton school is named). The stag represents the animals that were hunted.

Both the mottos are in Latin. Friern Barnet's moto 'Ruris Amator' means 'Lover of the Countryside'. Finchley's motto 'Regnant Qui Serviunt' means 'They Who Rule Serve'.