These arms are known since 1190 and are based on the oldest arms of the Counts of Gelre. They consisted of three red roundels on a golden shield. The first use of arms by a Lord of Borculo dates from 1299 when they were carried into battle. The banner he carried into the battle of Woeringen consisted of Gold with three red cakes. These cakes, or balls, are still present in the city's coat of arms, although the colors have changed. (most liley to reflect the Gelderland's Provincial colors of Blue and Gold.

Henderik III of Borculo carried in 1288 (according to Jan van Heelu) in the battle by the castle of Woeringen, near Cologne. Henderik, who was a knight and a great politcal supportor, died in the battle of Woeringen that year. His widow Agnes, carried in 1288 on her oval-shaped seal, her own image including a three-colored shield with the three cakes of Borculo.

Even though the Borculo estate was a possession of many families since, the roundels remained in the arms. When and why the colours have changed is not exactly known. The Provincial Gelderland colors may have been integrated at some later point

The hooks in the arms are hooks used to handle ships or river barges. Their origin is not known. They are known from a seal of the city dating from 1524. The helmet and crest appear in the 17th century. The arms were officially granted in 1816.

Some of the information above is from a translation of a letter written by Mr. C.G. Bloem of Apeldoorn, The Netherlands to Director of tourist Information, Hofstraat 5, Borculo, July 25, 1986

The Letter was Translated by Mr. C Boshuizen, Tulsa, OK