Latin Mottoes & Texts



This Foldout collects some of the Latin and other texts which can be found in the district in datestones, epitaphs, documents, coats of arms, mottoes, and other inscriptions


aegyptianusRef 24-48
(Latin) Trans: gypsy

amicus humani generisRef 24-5
(Latin) Trans: friend of the human race

The trade mark of Ben Shaw & Sons Limited was the name Benjamin Shaw's signature surrounded by this Latin text

anno salutisRef 24-28
(Latin) Trans: in the year of our salvation

The phrase is often found in Monumental Inscriptions.

See AS

Ante Tempus Nihil JudicatoRef 24-57

artium baccalaureusRef 24-43
(Latin) Trans: Bachelor of Arts.

The phrase is often found in Monumental Inscriptions.

See AB and BA

artium magisterRef 24-26
(Latin) Trans: Master of Arts

The phrase is often found in Monumental Inscriptions.

See AM and MA

attornatus ad legemRef 24-47
(Latin) Trans: attorney at law

BenignusRef 24-62
Kind

ClericusRef 24-49
(Latin) Trans: a clergyman, a clerk

See clicus

Clericus parochialisRef 24-50
(Latin) Trans: a parish clerk

ClicusRef 24-51
A form of the word clericus, a clerk

coelum non solumRef 24-59
A Latin inscription which appears over the south door at Back Hall, Exley.

(Latin) Trans: heaven not earth

confide deo, diffide tibiRef 24-11
(Latin) Trans: Trust in God, Distrust thyself

This is one of the many inscriptions on High Sunderland, Halifax

contra vim mortis, non est medicamen in hortisRef 24-23
(Latin) Trans: There is no medicine in the garden against the power of death

An inscription at Wynteredge Hall, Hipperholme

CorpusRef 24-63
Body

decus et tutamenRef 24-2
(Latin) Trans: an ornament and a safeguard

From 1662, the milled edge of coins were engraved with this inscription.

The inscription reappeared when the £1 coin was issued in 1983

digni et vos este favoreRef 24-20
(Latin) Trans: Be ye also worthy of Favour

The Latin motto appears on Heath Grammar School Memorial Gates.

It was written by Arthur Owen and is a pun on the surname of Dr John Favour, founder of the School

Doctrina Fortior ArmisRef 24-54
(Latin) Trans: Learning is stronger than weapons

= The pen is mightier than the sword

This is the motto of Hipperholme Grammar School

dominus noster iesus christusRef 24-29
(Latin) Trans: our Lord Jesus Christ

The phrase is often found in Monumental Inscriptions.

See DNIC

dono dedit dedicavitRef 24-25
(Latin) Trans: given and dedicated as a gift

The phrase is often found in Monumental Inscriptions.

See DDD

fælix quem virtus ...Ref 24-16
fælix quem virtus generosa exornat avorum, et qui virtute suis adjicit ipse decus

(Latin) Trans: happy is he whose ancestors make a profession of virtue, and who himself leaves virtue to succession

This is one of the many inscriptions on High Sunderland, Halifax

fama virtutum tuba perennisRef 24-15
(Latin) Trans: the fame of virtue is an eternal trump

This is one of the many inscriptions on High Sunderland, Halifax

garrulus insano crucietur ...Ref 24-21
garrulus insano crucietur mundus amore, dum mea placide vita serena placet

(Latin) Trans: Let the chattering world be tortured by senseless love, While my calm life quietly pleases me

An inscription at Wynteredge Hall, Hipperholme

hic locus odit amat ...Ref 24-10
hic locus odit amat punit conservat honorat. nequitiam pacem crimines jura probes

(Latin) Trans: This place hates, loves, punishes, observes, honours – Negligence, peace, crimes, laws, virtuous persons

This is one of the many inscriptions on High Sunderland, Halifax

hic sepultus estRef 24-34
(Latin) Trans: here is buried

The phrase is often found in Monumental Inscriptions.

See hse

hoc monumentumRef 24-31
(Latin) Trans: this monument

The phrase is often found in Monumental Inscriptions.

See hm

iesus hominum salvatorRef 24-36
(Latin) Trans: Jesus, saviour of men

The phrase is often found in Monumental Inscriptions.

See ihs

ignorantia legis excusat neminemRef 24-9
(Latin) Trans: ignorance of the law excuses no-one

This inscription appears over the entrance to King Cross Police Sub-Station

in forma pauperisRef 24-56
(Latin) Trans: like a pauper / in the manner of a pauper

See Mrs Louisa Robinson

jam mea, mox hujus, sed posthac nescio cujusRef 24-4
or nunc mea, mox hujus, sed posthac nescio cujus.

(Latin) Trans: now mine, once his, but afterwards I know not whose

This appears

justum perficito nihil timetoRef 24-45
(Latin) Trans: act justly and fear nothing / Do the right thing & fear nothing

In 1857, John Foster was granted armorial bearings with this motto.

It is the motto of Black Dyke Mills Band

justus propositi tenaxRef 24-1
(Latin) Trans: a just (person) and true of purpose

This was the motto of the Lister family. It appears on the Lister family Arms and can be seen in the Housebody at Shibden Hall.

The motto was also adopted by William Busfeild when he changed his name

legum doctorRef 24-37
(Latin) Trans: doctor of laws

The phrase is often found in Monumental Inscriptions.

See Lld

maxima domus utilitas ...Ref 24-17
maxima domus utilitas, et pernicies, ignes et lingua

(Latin) Trans: the house when large yields comfort; fires and tongues carry destruction with them

This is one of the many inscriptions on High Sunderland, Halifax

medicinae doctorRef 24-39
(Latin) Trans: doctor of medicine

The phrase is often found in Monumental Inscriptions.

See MD

meliora speroRef 24-22
(Latin) Trans: I hope for better [times]

An inscription at Wynteredge Hall, Hipperholme

monumentum posuitRef 24-41
(Latin) Trans: (he) placed (this monument)

The phrase is often found in Monumental Inscriptions.

See mp

nisi dominus custodierit civitatemRef 24-19
(Latin) Trans: Except the Lord keep the city

This is the Halifax motto and comes from the Biblical text:

Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain

in Psalms 127:1

numquam hanc pulset portam qui violat sequumRef 24-14
(Latin) Trans: may no one who violates justice knock at this door

This is one of the many inscriptions on High Sunderland, Halifax

omnipotente facit stirps ...Ref 24-13
omnipotente facit stirps sunderlandia sedes, incolat has placide et ineatur jura parentum lite racans, donec ductus, formica marines ebibat et totum testudo perambulet orbem:

(Latin) Trans: May the Almighty grant that the lineage of Sunderland may quietly inhabit this seat, and maintain the rights of their ancestors free from strife until an ant drink up the waters of the sea, and a tortoise walk around the whole world

This is one of the many inscriptions on High Sunderland, Halifax

patria domus ... optima caelusRef 24-12
(Latin) Trans: Heaven is the best [country, the best home]

2 inscriptions at High Sunderland, Halifax

per ardua virtusRef 24-64
(Latin) Trans: virtue through difficulties.

The Walker family did not have a coat of arms or motto until Ann [1803-1854] petitioned the College of Arms for a personal one.

This was granted in December 1842 with the arms and this Latin motto

This & associated entries use material contributed by Ian Philp

piae memoriaeRef 24-24
(Latin) Trans: to the pious memory

The phrase is often found in Monumental Inscriptions.

See pm

PiusRef 24-61
Dutiful

pone curavitRef 24-44
(Latin) Trans: (he) caused to be placed

The phrase is often found in Monumental Inscriptions.

See pc

Pro Bono PublicoRef 24-53
(Latin) Trans: For the public good

An inscription on Hollin Well, Norland

Pro Placito Corone CelatoRef 24-52

qui mihi discipulus puer es cupis atqueRef 24-3
This is the first part of a verse from Carmen de Moribus, [Poem on how to behave] by William Lilly [1468-1522] High Master of St Paul's School, London
Qui mihi discipulus, puer, es cupis atque doceri,
Huc ades, haec animo concipe dicta tuo

Thou who art my pupil, boy, and desirest to be taught,
Come here, grasp these sayings with thy mind

This appears on the Heath School Seal and was incorporated into the badge on the pupils' uniform cap and blazer

quid non deo juvanteRef 24-18
(Latin) Trans: What is not possible with God's help?

This appears on the gatehouse at Crow Nest, Lightcliffe

Quod Petis Umbra EstRef 24-46
(Latin) Trans: What You Seek is Shade

The inscription on a sundial [1833] at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Hebden Bridge

requiescat in paceRef 24-27
(Latin) Trans: may he rest in peace

The phrase is often found in Monumental Inscriptions.

See RIP

ResurgamRef 24-55
(Latin) Trans: I shall rise again

Used on graves and epitaphs

sacrum memoriaeRef 24-30
or memoriae sacrum.

(Latin) Trans: sacred to the memory

The phrase is often found in Monumental Inscriptions.

See MS and sm

sanctaeRef 24-32
(Latin) Trans: saints

The phrase is often found in Monumental Inscriptions.

See ss

sanctae theologiae baccalaureusRef 24-33
(Latin) Trans: Bachelor of Theology

The phrase is often found in Monumental Inscriptions.

See stb

sanctae theologiae professorRef 24-35
(Latin) Trans: Professor of Theology

The phrase is often found in Monumental Inscriptions.

See stp

SepulcrumRef 24-60
A tomb / grave

sine proleRef 24-38
(Latin) Trans: without offspring

The phrase is often found in Monumental Inscriptions.

See sp

sine prole legitimaRef 24-40
(Latin) Trans: without legitimate offspring

The phrase is often found in Monumental Inscriptions.

See spl

sine prole masculaRef 24-42
(Latin) Trans: without male offspring

The phrase is often found in Monumental Inscriptions.

See spm

suum cuiqueRef 24-6
(Latin) Trans: each according to his merit, to each his own

This was the trademark of James Simpson

tempus edax rerumRef 24-7
(Latin) Trans: time devours [all]

things This appears in the Smith Sundial, People's Park

ut hora sic vitaRef 24-8
(Latin) Trans: as is the hour, so is life

A form of this text appears on a stone at Wood Top, Hebden Bridge

Vltima Cuivis Expectanda DiesRef 24-58



© Malcolm Bull 2024
Revised 12:33 / 3rd April 2024 / 25193

Page Ref: MML652

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