• Per Saltire, a Cross of St Andrew, Argent
• Per Crest. a Fox, passant, proper
• In Chief, a Bishop’s Mitre
• Per Dexter, a Bezant, Or
• Per Sinister, a Book, open, proper
• Per Nombril. Ferring Parish Church, proper

The round shield, or Targe, bearing a field of blue, refers both to the sea, which borders Ferring to the south, and to the blue sky  which continually shines over the village.

The Cross of St Andrew in silver dividing the several parts of the Targe, refers to the Patron Saint of the Village as well as to the church and to the school.

In the top segment is shown a Bishop’s Mitre in its proper colours, referring to the See of Chichester which formerly owned the whole village in medieval times.

To the left (i.e. the right, from the point of view of the Knight who held the Targe) is a disc, or Bezant, of gold, part of the armorial bearings of the Henty family, one of the oldest families in the village. It also refers to the sun, for ever shining over the village from the blue sky.

To the right is an open book standing for freedom and learning referring to St Andrews School and the freedom of the village children to attend this centre of learning. Also it refers to the Domesday book in which Ferring is listed.

In the bottom segment is the parish church of St Andrew set in its churchyard in its natural colours, with the blue sky above.

The Crest, being a fox, again in its natural colours, refers not only to the wildlife of the Downs to the north of the village but also to the open countryside to the east and the west.

Thus, in one simple device, Ferring is shown to be situated on the edge of the blue sea, surrounded by countryside, with the golden sun shining from the blue sky above, owned by the church in the time of the Domesday book, now free, and with its church and its school both named after it’s Patron Saint, St Andrew.
by
Michael Parkin