Monday 18 June 2001 | London, England
On his 59th birthday, Sir Paul McCartney, Kt, MBE was granted a coat of arms by Hubert Chesshyre, LVO, Clarenceux King of Arms. The grant was the culmination of a process that had begun in 1997 — the year McCartney was knighted — but had been delayed by the death of his first wife Linda McCartney from cancer in 1998. The coat of arms was physically delivered to McCartney on 31 December 2002.
The Official Blazon
The official heraldic description — the blazon — is as follows:
Arms: Or between two Flaunches fracted fesswise two Roundels Sable over all six Guitar Strings palewise throughout counterchanged.
Crest: On a Wreath of the Colours A Liver Bird calling Sable supporting with the dexter claws a Guitar Or stringed Sable.
Motto: ECCE COR MEUM
The Symbolism
The design is described by the College of Arms as “a simple and distinct design that makes a clear reference to the grantee’s career without departing from the standard vocabulary of the English heraldic tradition.”
The guitar is the most direct element — a reference to McCartney’s principal instrument and his musical career. Six guitar strings run vertically across the shield.
The Liver Bird in the crest — a cormorant, the heraldic symbol of Liverpool — is a reference to McCartney’s native city. The bird holds a guitar in its dexter (right) claws.
The shield features two black curved emblems (flaunches) that divide the gold field into four shapes. These four shapes, resembling beetles’ backs, are said to symbolise McCartney and his fellow Beatles: John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. The two black circles (roundels) above are representative of records and compact discs, with the guitar strings passing over them.
The helmet is left-facing with an open visor, as is customary for knights bachelor. McCartney was made a knight bachelor in 1997.
The motto — Ecce Cor Meum — is Latin for Behold My Heart. It is also the title of a choral work McCartney had been composing since 1999, eventually released as an oratorio in 2006.
The Knighthood and the Delay
McCartney had been appointed a Knight Bachelor in the 1997 New Year Honours, receiving the accolade from The Queen at Buckingham Palace on 11 March 1997. He applied for a coat of arms the same year — a natural step for a newly created knight, for whom the right to bear arms is part of the dignity of the honour.
The process was interrupted by the death of Linda McCartney on 17 April 1998, following her diagnosis with breast cancer. The design and approval of the arms was delayed as a result. The grant was eventually made on 18 June 2001 — McCartney’s 59th birthday — and the physical document delivered on 31 December 2002.
Hubert Chesshyre and the College of Arms
Hubert Chesshyre, LVO was Clarenceux King of Arms — one of the three Kings of Arms at the College of Arms in London, the body responsible for granting and regulating coats of arms in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Clarenceux King of Arms has jurisdiction over England south of the River Trent. The grant of arms to McCartney was made under Chesshyre’s authority in that capacity.
Key Facts: 18 June 2001
| Date of grant | Monday 18 June 2001 (McCartney’s 59th birthday) |
| Granted by | Hubert Chesshyre, LVO, Clarenceux King of Arms |
| Application made | 1997 (year of knighthood) |
| Delay caused by | Death of Linda McCartney, 17 April 1998 |
| Delivered to McCartney | 31 December 2002 |
| Shield | Gold field; two black flaunches; two black roundels; six guitar strings |
| Crest | Liver Bird (cormorant) holding a guitar |
| Helmet | Left-facing, open visor (customary for knights bachelor) |
| Motto | Ecce Cor Meum (Behold My Heart) |
| Beetle symbolism | Four beetle-back shapes = McCartney, Lennon, Harrison, Starr |
| Roundels | Records and compact discs |
| Motto also used as | Title of McCartney’s oratorio, released 2006 |
The College of Arms, Queen Victoria Street, London — the body responsible for granting and regulating coats of arms in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Paul McCartney’s coat of arms was granted here on 18 June 2001.
Sir Paul McCartney
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Paul McCartney's coat of arms?
Paul McCartney's coat of arms was granted on 18 June 2001, his 59th birthday. It features a gold shield with guitar strings, two black roundels representing records, and four beetle-back shapes symbolising the four Beatles. The crest shows a Liver Bird holding a guitar, referencing Liverpool. The motto is Ecce Cor Meum (Behold My Heart).
What does Ecce Cor Meum mean?
Ecce Cor Meum is Latin for Behold My Heart. It is Paul McCartney's heraldic motto and also the title of his oratorio, released in 2006.
Why was McCartney's coat of arms delayed?
McCartney applied for a coat of arms in 1997, the year he was knighted. The design and approval process was delayed by the death of his first wife Linda McCartney from cancer on 17 April 1998. The grant was eventually made on 18 June 2001.
What is a Liver Bird?
The Liver Bird is a cormorant — the heraldic symbol of Liverpool, appearing on the city's coat of arms and on the famous Royal Liver Building. In McCartney's coat of arms, the Liver Bird in the crest references his Liverpool origins.
When was Paul McCartney knighted?
Paul McCartney was appointed a Knight Bachelor in the 1997 New Year Honours and received the accolade from The Queen at Buckingham Palace on 11 March 1997.
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→ Paul McCartney: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
→ John Lennon: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
→ George Harrison: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
→ Ringo Starr: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
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