The new crest is a design based on the crests of the former Townships of Guelph, Eramosa, Pilkington and Nichol. These former municipalities now make up the new municipality of the Township of Guelph/Eramosa, which was incorporated on January 1, 1999.

In November 1999, the Township Council received 3 design submissions for the crest from Ann Parkinson, Marion Campbell and Rob Knox.

Council incorporated ideas from all 3 submissions to develop the final design.

The shield, in which the symbols are displayed, is taken from the former Townships of Guelph, Pilkington and Nichol crests.

The cog, or water wheel, is taken from the former Township of Eramosa, representing mills and industry.

The sheaf of wheat is taken from the crests of the former Eramosa and Nichol Townships, representing the strong agricultural aspect of the new municipality.

The galloping white horse is taken from the arms of the House of Guelph (or Hanover), the Royal Family from 1713 to 1837, after whom the former Township of Guelph was named. The white horse on red is perhaps the best-known heraldic symbol of this family. It is derived from the arms of the German territory of Westphalia, still in use today: a white horse on a red field. The white horse is now galloping across a red outline of a map of the new Township.

And finally the Township's new motto is emblazened across the bottom 'United for Progress'.