Editing Helmond (section)

=== Etymology and coat of arms ===
Helmond's coat of arms, first appearing in 1241, displays a helmet, and is a canting arms for the city's name, as ''helm'' means helmet in Dutch. However, the actual etymology of Helmond's name is probably derived from the combination of ''Hel'', which means "low-lying" (from [[Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic]] ''*haljæ'' / ''Hel''), and ''Mond'', which referred to higher ground or a secure place.<ref>[http://www.jvdn.nl/Downloads/WG/2006/TWG2006_047-065.pdf ''Onder de Biesbosch''], ''Historisch-geografische en naamkundige bouwstenen voor een reconstructie van het in 1421 verdronken middeleeuwse cultuurlandschap van de Groote Waard''. Tijdschrift voor Waterstaatsgeschiedenis (2006); webversie 2007. ([[PDF]]) In Dutch. Retrieved 11 March 2015.</ref>

The helmet on the coat of arms originally was depicted as a medieval [[great helm]], however, the design eventually came to depict a jousting helmet. The oak sprigs symbolize freedom, while the bird perched on them is thought to be purely decorative.