Surrey

About the flag

The Surrey Flag, or Warenne Checks, is a community flag proclaiming the unique identity of this historic English county.

The flag displays a gold and blue checky pattern, derived from one of the earliest coats of arms.

These are the arms of the de Warenne family, Earls of Surrey.

The checks also appear in flag form at the siege of Caerlaverock Castle (1300), representing the Earl of Surrey.

Although the de Warenne line died out in 1415, the checks became associated with the county of Surrey.

Many local societies based their emblem around them. Towns used them in their civic arms, while the county council employed them unofficially before receiving its formal grant of arms.

Many local bodies have flown the checks as a traditional Surrey flag and the following supported this registration: Surrey County Amateur Swimming Association, Surrey Cricket League, Surrey Independent Football Association, Caterham Valley Parish Council, Cranleigh Parish Council, Dorking Local History Group, Godalming Town Council, Godstone Parish Council, Guildford Society, Haslemere Town Council, Horley Town Council, Lingfield Parish Council, Richmond Society and Tandridge Parish Council.

Thanks go to Danny Clarke for collating and coordinating the support of these organisations.