Walter Runciman, 1st Viscount Runciman of Doxford (1870–1949)

Blazon Shield: Per fess Or and Azure, a lymphad oars in action, the sail charged with a thistle leaved and slipped Proper, flags flying to the dexter Gules. Crest: A seahorse erect Gules, holding in the fore fins a thistle as in the arms. Motto: By sea.

Walter Runciman was the Liberal MP for Swansea West from 1924 to 1929, when he was elected for the seat of St.Ives which his wife had won in a bye-election in the previous year, making the Runcimans the first husband and wife to serve together in the House of Commons.

In 1937 Runciman was created Viscount Runciman of Doxford and subsequently inherited his father's peerage of Baron Runciman. The arms shown here are those applicable when he was a Swansea MP, without a peer's supporters and coronet and with the label of a first son since his father was still alive.

According to the 1913 edition of Burke's Peerage the arms of Runciman's father, Sir Walter Runciman, Bt, contained two thistles in chief and none on the sail of the lymphad, but later editions of both Burke's and Debrett's peerages place a single thistle on the sail.