The subsequent change of names to Hammersmith and Fulham on 1 January 1980 did not affect the arms.

The wavy lines in the main field of the shield are taken from the coat of arms of the former Metropolitan Borough of Fulham and are a symbol for the River Thames and its water.

There were also horseshoes in the arms of Sir Nicholas Crispe, Bt, whose works in Hammersmith in the 17th century contributed significantly to the growth of the town.

The crest consists of a mural crown, a common heraldic symbol for a town or a city, and the aforementioned ship, which was brought from the former arms of Fulham and signifies the 879 AD landing of Danish Vikings at what now is Fulham.

In the coat of arms of the former Metropolitan Borough of Hammersmith, the cross crosslet and the escallop shell were used as charges on the shield.