Redesigned Anne Arundel County Seal to Get Council Vote

Anne Arundel County executives could soon be represented by a brand-new county seal.

County Executive Steve Schuh introduced a proposed redesign of the seal this week, featuring what he calls "historically accurate elements" and "sharp features" which he believes will help represent the county consistently in both government and business dealings.

“We are very excited about the newly-designed County Seal because it provides a professional image depicting Anne Arundel County as the best place to live, work and start a business in Maryland," Schuh said in a statement introducing the new design. “After consulting with heraldry experts, we were able to incorporate new elements that are historically accurate and will make our citizens proud.”

County executives have said a number of different, inconsistent designs have represented the county on letterheads, websites and official signage over the years, and that they felt a single, professional design was needed. In particular, officials wanted one that came with a high-resolution vector that would still look "clear and vibrant" when reproduced.

Officials said the Maryland Archives helped with researching the heraldry of the seal, and even produced a portrait of Lord Baltimore Charles Calvert with his coronet to use as a guide for the new design. Some of the new design's elements include the felt top to the coronet, a tassel on top of the coronet and the felt ermine, which are all absent from current versions of the seal.

Legislation to adopt the new seal was introduced before the County Council on Sept. 6. A public hearing where citizens can provide feedback on the proposed seal is scheduled for Oct. 4.