 The coat of arms of Trafford Council depicts a griffin on a shield flanked by two unicorns . The line bisecting the shield horizontally symbolises the River Mersey running through Trafford from east to west and the canals in the borough . The white legs of a lion on a red background represent the parts of Trafford previously controlled by the De Massey family , while the red body and head of an eagle on a white background represents the areas of Trafford previously controlled by the De Traffords . Both elements were taken from the coats of arms of the respective families . The fist holding bolts of lightning represents Stretford and the electrical industry ; the cog on the arm represents Altrincham 's engineering industry . The unicorns stand for Sale and Altrincham . The oak branches represent Urmston and the rural areas of Trafford . 
