Prior to 1945 the county council used an unofficial coat of arms consisting of a gold shield bearing a blue eagle. This was taken from the seal of the borough of Beverley, the county town. The "garbs" or heraldic wheatsheaves represented agriculture. The grant also included a crest displayed on a helm above the crest: on a wreath of the colours, on a garb fessewise Or an eagle displayed azure.^[8] The Latin motto (also not shown in the illustration here) was Solis Ortum Conspicere or "To behold the sunrise".^[10]

Blazon: Argent a bendlet wavy azure and a bendlet sinister wavy vert over all on a cross gules five roses argent barbed and seeded proper. Crest: On a wreath argent and azure upon a mural crown gules a lion passant guardant Or supporting with the dexter forepaw a rose argent barbed and seeded proper en soleil. Supporters: Upon a compartment of a heather moor proper on the dexter a lion Or holding in the sinister forepaw a sword argent hilt pomel and quillons gules and resting the sinister hindpaw on a fountain on the sinister a lion Or holding in the dexter forepaw two keys in saltire argent and resting the dexter hindpaw on a serpent coiled proper.

Granted April 29, 1980

The cross of St George comes from the arms of both the North Riding County Council and the City of York which were combined in the new county. The cross bears five white roses. In the background of the shield are narrow green and blue waves representing the Yorkshire Dales and Wolds. The crest featured a lion from the York city arms supporting the "rose en soleil" from the arms of West Riding County Council. Two gold lions also support the arms. A number of symbols were added for heraldic difference: crossed keys for the archdiocese of York, the sword borne before the Lord Mayor of York, a serpent for St Hilda of Whitby and a heraldic "fountain" for the county's coats and waterways. The Latin motto is Unitate Fortior or "stronger by union".^[11]

Granted August 22, 1975

The arms featured a "W" shaped pattern and white rose to represent "West Yorkshire". The crest and supporters were crowned lions. They were each of two colours: red and black (gules and sable) were for industry; green and earth colour (vert and tenne) were for agriculture. The motto was "By effort achieve".^[12]

With the abolition of the county council in 1986 these arms became obsolete.

Granted 1978.

The black diamonds represented coal mining and the red and silver zig-zag pattern steel processing: on top of these were placed white roses. The crest was a Yorkshire rose joined to a "bezant" or golden coin for the county's wealth. The supporters: a horse with a hoe and a lion with a pick-axe stood for agriculture and coalmining respectively. The motto was "Each shall strive for the welfare of all".^[13]

With the abolition of the county council in 1986 these arms became obsolete.

Granted 1996.

The green and gold stripes of the shield represent the wealth generatyed by the land of the East Riding. On top of this placed a distinctive chevron bearing Yorkshire roses. The "engrailed" edge and "cotises" were added to ensure that this simple coat of arms was unique. The crest features the eagle used by the former East Riding County Council now coloured red. The history and industry of the area are represented by a crozier and a sword. The red and white decorative mantling hanging from the helm is red and white, the colours of St George. The dexter supporter is a blue lion. This featured in the insignia of the predecessor Beverley and Boothferry Borough Councils. About the lion's neck is a wreath of barley. The sinister supporter is seahorse for the maritime interests of the county. The motto chosen by the council is "Tradition and progress".^[14]