Tottenham Hotspur Logo PNG
The Tottenham Hotspur logo symbolizes the club’s pride in its achievements and victories. The figure of the cockerel standing on a ball conveys the team’s fighting spirit, readiness to face any opponent, and determination to remain among the strongest.
The history of the glorious football club “Tottenham Hotspur” began on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, under a street lamp at the corner of Tottenham High Road and Park Lane. That day, several thirteen-year-old students from a local school decided to create their own football team. They immediately collected money and compiled a list of members for the new club.
The club’s motto in Latin sounds like “Audere est Facere” (in English, “To Dare Is To Do”). The “Tottenham Hotspur” logo depicts a cockerel standing on a ball. The club’s main rival is Arsenal, and the matches between these clubs are called the North London derby.
The history of the club’s name, Hotspur F.C., is quite interesting. It is believed that the name is linked to Sir Henry Percy (Harry Hotspur), known from William Shakespeare’s play “Henry IV,” who supposedly lived in these parts in the 14th century and whose descendants later owned the local lands. In 1884, the club was renamed to Tottenham Hotspur Football Club to distinguish it from another team, London Hotspur.
The team has special names among fans. The nickname “Spurs” is an abbreviation of the club’s name. Originally, the team was called Hotspur in honor of Sir Henry Percy, who lived in the 14th century and earned the nickname Hotspur for his fiery temper (Hotspur, Hot Spurs). From Sir Henry, the club received another, though less popular, nickname: “Hot heads.” Because of the color of their uniform, the team has another nickname: “Lilywhites.” Of course, the uniform’s color is slightly different now, but the call remains the same. In addition to the nicknames above, “Tottenham” is often called “the Jews” because the Jewish diaspora in London supported them for a long time.
Meaning and History
Throughout the club’s history, the main “Tottenham Hotspur” logo has changed. The constant emblem feature was the cockerel, depicted either enclosed in a shield or standing on a ball. Even today, the cockerel remains the team’s main symbol.
Starting with the FA Cup final in 1901, the “cockerel” (Harry Hotspur) became the new symbol of “Tottenham Hotspur.” In 1909, former player William James crafted a bronze cockerel standing on a ball, which was installed atop the West Stand.
From 1983, the “Spurs” used a crest featuring symbols of attachment to this area. Lions resting on the shield were taken from the coat of arms of the Northumberland family. They owned much of Tottenham’s lands, and Sir Henry Percy (Harry Hotspur) was a member of this family. The lions carried a shield bearing the inscription “THFC” (an abbreviation of the club’s official name). A mansion belonging to Bruce Castle was located 400 yards from the stadium. It now houses a museum. In the upper right corner, we see seven elms growing in the London grove of Page Green. Historians suggest that these plants indicate the place where witches were burned. The crest also bears the Latin saying “Audere Est Facere.”
What is Tottenham Hotspur?
It is a multiple champion and tournament winner, with several major European trophies to its name. The club competes in the Premier League and has its own “Tottenham Hotspur” stadium, where it has been hosting home matches since 2019. Since 2001, the sports organization has been owned by ENIC International Ltd.
1921 – 1951
The cockerel became established as Tottenham Hotspur’s symbol in 1921, following the club’s FA Cup victory. The image is linked to Henry Percy, an aristocrat known as Harry Hotspur. His interest in cockfighting and breeding long, spurred birds eventually found expression in the team’s visual symbol.
The emblem composition is built around a dark-blue figure of a cockerel, placed within a white shield outlined in blue. The bird’s silhouette is free of ornament and excessive detail, yet its key features are clearly recognizable. A full tail, an elongated arched neck, a distinct beak, comb, and solid legs define its image.
The cockerel is associated with strength and inner resolve, and its placement at the center of the shield underscores the symbol’s importance within the mark’s structure. This emblem is considered the first documented badge in the club’s history and became the starting point for the further development of Tottenham Hotspur’s identity.
1951 – 1960s
After the club’s First Division championship victory, the emblem was updated. The blue color softened and calmed, and the cockerel silhouette adopted more elongated, stricter proportions. The bird’s appearance was revised. The traits of a fighting breed are now clearly visible, and two pairs of sharp spurs appeared on the strong legs.
The composition retained its familiar structure. The cockerel figure remains placed inside a shield. The shield outline and the bird silhouette are rendered within the same color range. The cockerel is shown full height with thin white strokes. These lines run along the chest, the curved leg, and the tail, creating volume and enhancing the image’s visual impact.
1960s – 1971
By the early 1960s, the club’s symbol underwent another change. The cockerel returned to a rich dark blue tone. The silhouette was also reworked. The lines became more elongated and more refined, especially around the head and tail feathers. The spurs on the legs remained, preserving the image’s association with its fighting origins.
The structure of the emblem remained familiar. The bird figure is placed inside a shield with the same outline as before. The shield contour and the cockerel silhouette are rendered in the same color.
The cockerel is shown vertically, in profile, facing left with an open beak. The long neck flows smoothly into the body. The tail points upward and consists of six elongated feathers that fan out.
1972 – 1981
The symbolism of Tottenham Hotspur entered another phase with a new update, taking on a different appearance. The image of the cockerel moved onto a football and took a position at the center of a now circular mark. The reference point was the bronze statue by former club player William James, installed in 1909 above the West Stand at White Hart Lane.
At the center of the logo is a blue stylized bird standing on a ball. Its segments are outlined in ochre-brown lines and a thin black outline. Ochre-brown accents are introduced into the body, adding visual separation between the bird’s parts. The ball’s background is rendered in a cool blue-violet tone that matches the cockerel’s color and the lower arc of the circular frame.
The entire composition is enclosed within a ring divided into two zones. The upper section is colored yellow and contains the inscription TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR. The lower section repeats the blue violet background and contains the abbreviation F.C. placed on either side of the ball. Behind the cockerel figure, a second element was added: a stylized ball referencing early football equipment.
1973 – 1981 additional
During this period, the club experimented with a more concise visual image. The emblem was stripped of previous inscriptions and secondary details, leaving only the cockerel standing on a football. The color scheme was reduced to a single tone. A rich dark blue color was used, with a slight shift toward violet.
The composition is built as a single silhouette without transitions or internal borders. Details of the figure are formed through white negative spaces within the blue fill. The cockerel is elongated upward. The neck curves smoothly, and the tail is directed upward, supporting the figure’s vertical structure.
The football beneath the bird refers to early examples of equipment. Radial segments and a central circle define its shape. At the lower part, there is a small white insert resembling the lacing of old balls.
1983 – 1984
The emblem adopted by the English football club Tottenham Hotspur in 1983 became an unusual interpretation of the club’s traditions. The mark combined motifs from the past, family symbolism, and heraldic imagery associated with Harry Hotspur, whose name served as the basis for the team’s name and historical identity.
The mark features a large shield in deep blue with a wide gold border. At the center is a stylized cockerel, the Spurs’ symbol. The bird stands on a classic football rendered in gold tones and outlined in black.
On either side of the cockerel are elements with historical ties to the club and its birthplace. On the left is Bruce Castle with massive towers. On the right is a composition of vertical and horizontal rectangles referring to fortress walls or brickwork. Beneath them runs a green line dividing the shield field into two equal zones.
The lower section contains a small white shield with the THFC monogram. The intertwined letters are rendered in black and feature smooth curves. Two red lions on either side support the shield. The image of the lions is connected to the House of Northumberland, from which the legendary Hotspur originated.
A blue ribbon with a gold border forms the lowest level of the composition. On it is placed the club’s Latin motto AUDERE EST FACERE. The inscription is set in uppercase gold letters with a thin black line. The motto conveys the team’s sporting mindset, rooted in boldness and action.
1985 – 1986
During another redesign of the Tottenham Hotspur logo, the club turned to a North London legend. The new mark largely resembled the previous version, but an additional detail appeared in the composition. To the right of the cockerel, a group of seven green elm trees emerged. The trees refer to the image of the Seven Sisters. These are figures from a local legend linked to events that, according to tradition, took place in Green Grove Park.
The shield shape with a dimensional gold border was retained, but the inner field changed from dark blue to light blue. Against this background, a three-part structure is arranged. In the upper zone, a yellow cockerel stands on an old football with vertical stitching. To the left of the bird is an arched bastion tower in the same color. On the right is a stylized group of trees arranged in even rows.
A green horizontal line divides the shield into two equal parts. The lower half contains a smaller shield with a golden yellow border. At the center is a white THFC monogram with smooth lines. On either side of the small shield are two red lions rendered in the classic heraldic rampant pose.
Below the main shield is a light-blue ribbon bearing the club’s Latin motto, AUDERE EST FACERE.
1987 – 1988
During a light update to the Tottenham Hotspur logo, supporters noticed a shift toward softer, more muted tones in the color palette. An orange bird replaced the bright yellow cockerel. The same approach was applied to the lettering of the club motto and the outline of the shield.
The shield shape did not change and took on a light gray tone. In the upper zone, the familiar set of images remained. On the left is the bastion tower, and on the right is the group of seven elms. The tower gained cleaner outlines, and the trees became rounder. The cockerel continues to stand on a football.
In the lower zone, the small shield supported by a pair of lions features a bluish interior tone and visually aligns with the gray background of the main shield. The THFC monogram was retained.
The lion figures received updated outlines. The familiar light blue ribbon with the Latin motto AUDERE EST FACERE completes the mark. The inscription is rendered in the same muted orange color as the cockerel and the shield outline.
1988 – 1989
The familiar imagery of the club mark took on a different tone. The symbolic composition was preserved, but the presentation became livelier and more natural. The outlines and lines were rendered in a bright lemon color.
The image of the cockerel lost its former rigidity and became more natural, while the ball beneath its feet received more detailed treatment. The tower nearby appears closer to a real architectural prototype. The stylized trees changed shape and came to resemble actual elms connected with the history of Green Grove.
Changes also affected the lower section. The two lions flanking the small shield with the THFC letters were drawn with greater care, and their silhouettes more closely resembled classic heraldic models. The small shield retained its previous position and the monogram treatment.
Despite the updated details, the emblem’s overall framework remained the same. The placement of all elements was preserved, as was the ribbon at the bottom with the Latin motto AUDERE EST FACERE.
1989 – 1995
In 1989, Tottenham Hotspur introduced a new logo, opening another chapter in the club’s visual history. The update differed greatly from previous versions. The complex set of details was abandoned, and a large image of a cockerel replaced the fortress, shield, and seven elms.
The bird stands with its head raised, its feet resting on the lower symbols. The silhouette is built on a combination of two contrasting colors. Rich blue violet and bright yellow tones are used. Beneath the cockerel’s feet is a circle with the club monogram. The intertwined letters THFC are set in a Victorian typographic style and colored in the same blue-violet tone.
On both sides of the circle are two red symmetrical lions. They stand on their hind legs and touch the monogrammed circle with their front paws. The outlines of the lions are drawn in blue.
A yellow ribbon with a smooth curve completes the lower part of the composition. It carries the inscription AUDERE·EST·FACERE, set in a blue serif typeface. Dots are used between the words instead of spaces. The ribbon is slightly curved at the ends.
1995 – 1997
With the appearance of a new logo, the club adopted a restrained monochrome style executed in dark blue. The previous decorative motifs have disappeared from the composition. A white shield replaced the lions that had framed the circle with the monogram, and it was outlined in a dense dark blue.
The figure of a cockerel occupies the inner space of the shield. The bird’s contours are thin and smooth, and the silhouette is vertically elongated. The cockerel stands on a small circle containing the club monogram.
The monogram is composed of intertwined letters T, H, F, and C. The entire emblem is maintained in a single color system. A dark blue tone is used with slight violet nuances.
The shield shape follows classic proportions. The upper part is wider, and the lower part gradually narrows. The outline is drawn with a dense line, creating a visual emphasis on the cockerel figure and the monogram mark.
1997 – 1999
In the late 1990s, the club introduced a new logo, returning to images familiar to supporters from the mid-1980s and reworking them with an updated presentation and a different color scheme. The version prepared on the verge of the new millennium continued the team’s visual heritage, grounded in tradition and heraldic motifs.
The composition is based on a shield with a downward elongated shape and a yellow border. Inside is a rich blue background. At the top is a white, stylized cockerel standing on a yellow ball. To the left of the bird is a yellow tower resembling a fragment of an old fortress. To the right are seven green trees arranged in a three-tier structure. The top level contains one tree, below are two, and the base is formed by a group of four.
In the lower part of the large shield is a smaller shield with a white interior fill and a thin yellow outline. Inside is a monogram of intertwined uppercase letters T, H, F, and C rendered in black. On both sides of the small shield are two red lions depicted in classic heraldic style. The figures face each other, raised on their hind legs, with their front legs extended upward.
Below the main shield runs a blue ribbon outlined in yellow. It bears the club’s Latin motto, AUDERE EST FACERE, set in a yellow serif typeface closely resembling classic Trajan. The text follows the ribbon’s curve, with its ends neatly framing the lower part of the shield.
1999 – 2006
In 1999, the club focused on the 1989 version and made slight adjustments to the design. The composition retained its familiar elements. Despite continuity with the earlier emblem, the new version received one important update. The cockerel changed color, shifting from yellow to white.
All other parts of the mark kept their previous appearance. The two lions on either side continue to support the circle, with the monogram’s intertwined letters. The ribbon beneath the bird figure follows the same contours as before, and the motto typeface remained unchanged. The visual structure fully follows the late 1980s version, without introducing new accents.
The color of the cockerel became the key distinction of the new version. The white figure set a more restrained tone for the entire mark, altering the composition’s overall perception.
2006 – 2013
In 2006, Tottenham Hotspur introduced a new design. The project was created by the Navyblue team in collaboration with Chris Mitchell and the typographers at Dalton Maag. The designers relied on a style familiar to supporters since the 1970s, preserving the image of the cockerel standing on a classic football. In the lower part of the mark, the inscription TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR appeared, set in the Spurs typeface developed specifically for the club by Dalton Maag.
At the center of the emblem is a dark blue cockerel. Thin white outlines carefully define the bird’s silhouette and emphasize its head shape. The cockerel stands on the ball, touching its upper surface with its feet. A distinctive detail is the elongated spurs, which enhance the bird’s visual character.
The football refers to early models from the last century. White lines indicate the seams, segment boundaries, and the stitched seam with transverse stitches in the lower part.
The club name is placed beneath the image, following an arc around the ball’s lower part. The letters are sans serif and vertically elongated. The inscription fits naturally into the shape.
The emblem’s color palette is limited to a dark blue background and white lines.
2013 – 2024
The Nomad studio, artist Chris Mitchell, and typographer Miles Newlyn developed the new update. The familiar motif of the cockerel on an old football remained at the core of the mark, without a radical reworking of the composition. The main changes affected the form. The silhouette was simplified, abandoning the double outlines that previously surrounded the bird and the ball. As a result, the image became visually lighter and calmer.
Another change was a color adjustment. The dark blue shade of the previous version was deepened by one or two tones, increasing color density.
The inscription TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR, arranged in two lines and curving beneath the football, remained unchanged.
2024 – today
In the fall of 2024, the club presented the current version of the logo after minor revisions. The image of the cockerel standing on the ball had become firmly established in football culture and no longer required support from a text name. The TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR line beneath the ball symbol was removed. As a result, the composition focused entirely on the image itself. The proportions of the cockerel and the familiar outline were preserved without changes.
The dark blue of the logo grew denser, approaching an almost-black shade. The mark took on a more strict, restrained appearance, aligned with the club’s contemporary visual style.
Font and Colors
The cockerel on the “Tottenham Hotspur” emblem embodies the team’s fighting spirit and its winning mindset. It’s inextricably linked to the team’s nickname, as the word “Hotspur” has its origins in cockfighting. Moreover, it’s a metaphorical image of a real person, a nobleman named Henry Percy, who became famous for his long spurs.
The logo creators tried to link the cockerel with football, at least on an associative level. They depicted a militant bird proudly standing on a ball, as if ready to defend it valiantly.
The English company Dalton Maag developed a sports font for “Tottenham Hotspur”, designed to modernize the club’s image. It harks back to the industrial era and consists only of uppercase characters with short serifs. It’s intended for various applications, from signs to promotional materials on the website. For the semi-circular inscription on the logo, the letters were slightly altered to make the composition look cohesive.
Not much attention was given to the color palette. Designers took a straightforward approach, choosing dark blue (#132257) as the main color and complementing it with a small amount of white.
