Maryland Flag: Meaning, History, and Ways to Wear It
You can spot the Maryland flag from across a parking lot. It’s on Terps game-day gear, Chesapeake Bay boats, bumper stickers, and just about every Marylander’s favorite hoodie. But what do those bold black, gold, red, and white squares actually mean, and where did the design come from? Here’s the story behind one of the most recognizable state flags in the country, plus our favorite ways to wear it.
What the Maryland Flag Looks Like
The flag is divided into four quarters. Two quarters show a black-and-gold pattern, and the other two show a red-and-white cross design. That’s it: no stars, no stripes, no writing. It’s a direct copy of a family coat of arms, which is part of why it looks so different from other state flags.
What It Means: Two Families, One Flag
Every part of the flag comes from the founding family of Maryland.
- Black and gold: These are the colors of the Calvert family. George Calvert became the first Lord Baltimore, and his son Cecil Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore, founded the Maryland colony in 1634.
- Red and white: These come from the Crossland family, the family of George Calvert’s mother. The pattern with the cross at the ends of its arms is called a cross bottony.
Put them together and you get the quartered design we know today.
A Short History of the Flag
The colonial years. For most of Maryland’s early history, only the yellow-and-black Calvert colors were used to represent the colony.
The Civil War. Maryland was a divided state. The black-and-gold colors came to be associated with Maryland staying in the Union, while Marylanders who sided with the South took up the red and white of the Crossland arms.
Coming together. After the war, a flag combining both families’ colors began appearing at public events. It was carried at a Baltimore parade in the 1880s, and the Maryland National Guard’s Fifth Regiment adopted it as its regimental color in 1889.
Official status. In 1904, the Maryland General Assembly made the quartered Calvert and Crossland design the official state flag.
Why Marylanders Love It
The flag has been called the perfect state flag for a reason: the colors are bold, the pattern is easy to recognize, and the design has real history behind it. It also works everywhere. You’ll see it on sports fields, at crab feasts, on boats, and on everyday clothes. For people who moved away, it’s a quick way to carry a little bit of home with them.
Ways to Wear and Display the Maryland Flag
1. Flag apparel. 
The easiest way to show your pride. Browse our shorts, Maryland Gifts T-shirts, and Maryland Gifts brand collection for flag-inspired styles.
2. Gear for the kids. 
Our Maryland Flag Youth Shorts are a fun pick for school spirit, camp, and summer. More options are in Baby and Youth.
3. Hats, headbands, and socks. 
Small pieces that add a flag print to any outfit. See hats and headbands and socks.
4. Scarves and accessories.
A great cold-weather option for game days and winter walks. Check out our scarves and bags.
5. Something for the dog. 
Yes, pets can be Marylanders too. Take a look at our pet collection.
6. Kitchen and home. 
Add a little flag to your fridge, desk, or coffee routine with magnets and decals, tumblers and mugs, and kitchen items.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the colors of the Maryland flag mean?
Black and gold are the colors of the Calvert family, the founders of Maryland. Red and white are the colors of the Crossland family, the family of George Calvert’s mother.
When did the Maryland flag become official?
The Maryland General Assembly adopted it as the state flag in 1904.
What is the cross on the Maryland flag called?
It’s called a cross bottony, and it comes from the Crossland family coat of arms.
Where can I buy Maryland flag gear?
Shop online at maryland-gifts.com with free shipping on US orders over $50, or visit our store at The Mall in Columbia.
Show Your Maryland Pride
Whether you’re a lifelong Marylander, a Terps fan, or just visiting, there’s a Maryland flag piece for you. Shop all Maryland Gifts, and thank you for supporting a Maryland shop that has been serving fans since 2012.