The Southern Aegis was a pro-Southern newspaper established in 1856 by George Yellott and John Cox and published from July 11, 1857, to February 1, 1862, in Bel Air, Maryland, U.S.

The name "Aegis" originally derived from Greek mythology and is a reference to Zeus' shield, meant to "evoke protection for the interests of Harford residents" as well as the paper's Southern sympathies.

[4] However, Cox eventually realized that there was not enough support for the Confederate cause in Harford County to continue publishing, and in 1862, he resigned and sold the paper to a prominent local lawyer named A.W.

Bateman changed the tone of the paper to a conservative Unionist stance, which continued under his successor, Frederick W. Baker.

The paper remained in the hands of the Worthington family until 1986, when it was acquired by the Times Mirror Company, then-owners of The Baltimore Sun.