History and Heraldry

The Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory located in the western Caribbean Sea. The territory comprises the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman,

The Cayman Islands were first logged as sighted by Christopher Columbus on 10 May 1503 during his fourth and final voyage to the New World. He named the islands Las Tortugas after the large number of sea turtles observed there.

England took formal control of the Cayman Islands, along with Jamaica, under the Treaty of Madrid in 1670. Following several unsuccessful attempts at settlement, a permanent English-speaking population in the islands dates from the 1730s.

The islands continued to be governed as part of the Colony of Jamaica until 1962, when they became a separate Crown colony while Jamaica became an independent Commonwealth realm.

A coat of arms was adopted 14 May 1958

It is:

Arms: Barry wavy of six Argent and Azure, three five-pointed stars Vertfimbriated Or, and a chief wavy Gules, a lion passant guardant Or, langued and ungules Azure.

Crest: On a wreath Argen and Azure an tortoise  and a pineaplle issuant proper

Motto: HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS.

An embellished version of these arms exists, showing a helmet to the dexter, lambrequined Argent and Azure.

Governors’ Flag

Police

Also: ROYAL CAYMAN POLICE SERVICE.