Everton Football Club’s crest is built around Prince Rupert’s Tower, an 18th-century stone lock-up on Everton Brow in Liverpool that has appeared on the club’s identity since 1938. The crest was devised in 1938 and first featured on Everton club shirts in 1980, according to the Historic England Archive. The building in the crest’s centre is a representation of a small structure in the Shaw Street public gardens, believed to be the oldest building in the Everton area. The motto reads “Nil Satis, Nisi Optimum,” translated as “Only the best is good enough.” [1]
Design and History
The first official crest to feature on an Everton kit dates back to 1920, comprising the white letters “EFC” entwined upon a blue shield. Since 1920, nine different versions of the crest have adorned the club’s royal blue jersey. [2]
In 1938, Club Secretary Theo Kelly was asked to design a crest for use on official club neck-ties. The ties were first worn by Kelly and Everton’s chairman on the first day of the 1938/39 season. [3] Kelly’s design combined Prince Rupert’s Tower, laurel wreaths, and the Latin motto, establishing the core elements that have defined Everton’s badge ever since.
Prince Rupert’s Tower, officially known as Everton Lock-up, was originally built as a lock-up in 1787 and is a Grade II-listed building. The site was used by Prince Rupert and his army as a campsite in 1644 during preparations for the Siege of Liverpool, part of the English Civil War, which gave the lock-up its evocative name. The lock-up has featured on the club’s crest since 1938 and on the kit since 1978. [4]
In May 2013, Everton unveiled a simplified redesign intended to modernise the crest for digital platforms. The new badge omitted the laurel wreaths and removed the Latin motto entirely. The reaction from supporters was swift: within days, thousands of fans signed an online petition condemning the design. The club apologised and confirmed the controversial badge would only be used for a single transitional season while fans were consulted on a permanent replacement. [5]
In late 2013, the club held an open fan vote featuring three newly developed designs. Supporters overwhelmingly selected the crest introduced for the 2014/15 season, a modern refinement that restored both the laurel wreaths and the Latin motto. [6] The winning design brought together the key icons of the club’s tradition, with the shield shape streamlined and the name Everton included in a strong font with an element of tradition. [7]
Meaning and Symbolism
Prince Rupert’s Tower stands at the centre of the crest as a representation of local heritage and the club’s geographic roots in the Everton district of Liverpool. The laurel wreaths flanking the tower are classical symbols of victory and honour. The Latin motto “Nil Satis Nisi Optimum” translates as “Nothing but the best is good enough,” reflecting the club’s stated standards and ambitions. [1]
Typography and Design
In 2025, as part of a broader brand identity created by London-based studio DixonBaxi, Prince Rupert’s Tower was elevated from the crest into a standalone visual signature. The studio described the tower as “a powerfully simple silhouette” that coexists with the crest and amplifies Everton’s identity on a global stage. [8]
DixonBaxi also created a custom typeface called Rupert Condensed, inspired by the sharp angles of the tower. The typeface anchors the club’s voice and is paired with Canela, a serif typeface that balances historic character with a fresh sense of impact. [8]
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