The original Coat of Arms was used from when Slough Borough gained its' charter in 1938 to when it was transferred from Buckinghamshire to Berkshire in 1974. To mark this transfer, a new Coat of Arms was designed, and it is still in use today.

The original arms were designed to include many symbols of Slough's history. The swan represents the county of Buckinghamshire, and the flower in its beak is a Mrs Sinkins Pink - this was first cultivated by John Thomas Sinkins, the Master of Slough Workhouse.

The symbol above the swan's head represents Uranus, the planet discovered by William Herschel, one of Slough's most famous residents. To either side of this symbol are two brick hammers, representing the town's brickmaking industry.

Standing beside the shield are Mercury and Vulcan, the gods of commerce and industry, to represent the trade and industry of the borough.

When the Coat of Arms was redesigned it was given a more colourful and modern look, but many elements were retained. The Buckinghamshire swan, with flower, is still there, but has been joined by a Berkshire stag, on top of the helmet.

The brick hammers are also still there, on either side of the stag, but Herschel's discoveries are now represented by a pattern of stars. Modern industry in the borough is represented by the black chevrons on yellow background.

The motto has also changed. The original translated as 'by confidence and strength' - in 1974, this changed to 'serve with honour'.