The oldest logos still in use today

A company’s logo is an essential element of its brand — it helps consumers quickly identify products and, over time, builds familiarity and trust. While most brands update their logos to fit modern times, a few have maintained the same visual identity for more than a century. Simple, timeless design tends to be the key to their longevity: the Coca-Cola Co., for example, has used the same cursive font since 1887 and is now reportedly the fifth most recognizable brand in the world.

The old logos that still exist today have all retained the distinct core elements that make them recognizable, though some designs have been slightly altered over the years.

What is the oldest logo still in use today?

Stella Artois has the oldest company logo still in use today, featuring its signature horn and star, which dates back to 1366, when the Den Hoorn brewery was founded in Belgium. Local brewer Sebastian Artois purchased the brewery in 1708 and renamed it after himself. The name “Stella” — Latin for “star” — was inspired by the brewery’s first seasonal beer, the Christmas Star, while “Artois” honors Sebastian Artois, the Den Hoorn brewmaster.

Despite the name change, the original horn logo has remained a prominent feature of the logo for more than 600 years. The horn, originally used to beckon travelers, has come to signify stability and continuity — fitting for the best-selling Belgian beer in the world.

All logos on our list have been in use for more than a century. Here are the 10 oldest:

• Stella Artois — first used in 1366
• Twinings — first used in 1787 (the world’s oldest unaltered logo, in continuous use for over 227 years)
• American Red Cross — first used in 1864
• Nestlé — first used in 1868 (its first logo featured a nest symbolizing care and safety)
• Heinz — first used in 1869; largely unchanged since introduction, symbolizing the brand’s Pennsylvania heritage
• Amstel Bier — first used in 1870
• Mitsubishi — first used in 1873
• Bass Ale — first used in 1876 (its red triangle was the first registered trademark in Britain)
• John Deere — first used in 1876
• Boots — first used in 1883

What is the world’s oldest unaltered logo?

British tea company Twinings holds that distinction. Its logo, introduced in 1787, uses a capitalized font and has never been altered. It has been displayed continuously at the same location on London’s Strand since 1706 — reinforcing the brand’s heritage and authenticity.

The logo is based on the Twining family crest and references China, from which the company exclusively sourced its tea. Its simple wordmark style has kept it timeless across nearly two and a half centuries.

Why did Campbell’s change its logo?

The Campbell’s logo, based on founder Joseph Campbell’s original signature, has appeared on the brand’s famous red-and-white soup cans for decades. In 2021, the company gave it a subtle modernization. The updates included:

• Removing the drop shadow from the lettering
• Removing the ligatures between letters
• Restoring the Campbell’s “C” in the fleur de lis at the bottom — a callback to the original 1898 label design
• Restoring the slanted “O” in “Soup,” also from the 1898 label

The classic red font on a white background was preserved throughout. Campbell’s Chief Marketing Officer of Meals & Beverages, Linda Lee, described the intent behind the change:

“We’ve been on a journey to re-imagine this iconic brand and appeal to new generations of consumers who are cooking at home more than ever, while still honoring our rich history.”

Campbell’s subtle logo redesign is a prime example of refreshing a historic logo while preserving its core identity. Tools like Canto play a crucial role in brand management by helping companies store, organize, and distribute their logos and other digital assets efficiently, making it easier to scale brand consistency with a centralized DAM system.

With Canto, brands can ensure consistent use of their logos across all platforms and campaigns, maintaining the integrity of their visual identity even as they evolve. Features like Canto Portals for distributing digital assets at scale and the Canto integration with Canva for streamlined creative workflows help teams manage brand assets, especially for companies with longstanding logos that require careful handling to preserve their heritage while adapting to modern design needs.

What is the oldest car company logo still in use?

Mitsubishi’s red three-diamond emblem has been in use since 1873, making it the oldest car company logo still active today. Founder Yataro Iwasaki chose the mark to honor two family crests: the three-leaf crest of his first employer and the three stacked rhombuses of the Iwasaki family. The logo also reflects the company’s name directly — “mitsu” means three and “hishi” means diamond or rhombus in Japanese.

The 25 oldest company logos still in use

¹ Now owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev, with distribution in over 80 countries.

² Bass Ale’s red triangle logo was the first trademark registered by the British government in 1876.

³ The John Deere logo has featured a lion crest, symbolizing heritage and tradition.

⁴ The Levi Strauss & Co. logo features two horses attempting to pull apart a pair of jeans, introduced to communicate product durability.

Frequently asked questions on timeless logo designs

How long must a logo be in use to be considered historic?

Branding experts typically consider logos that have been in continuous use for over 100 years as historic or among the oldest logos still in use today. This benchmark helps identify timeless logos that have stood the test of time.

Does a logo have to remain completely unchanged to be counted among the oldest logos still in use?

No, most of the oldest logos still in use have undergone minor refinements such as color tweaks, cleaner lines, or updated typography. The essential factor is that the core visual identity or original symbol remains prominently recognizable.

Why do many of the logos belong to food and beverage companies?

Food and beverage brands prioritize familiarity, trust, and reliability since consumers make frequent purchase decisions. Maintaining the same logo over time reinforces consumer confidence, making these brands some of the oldest logos still in use.

What is the difference between a logo and a trademark in the context of historic brand logos?

A logo is the visual design that represents a brand, while a trademark is the legal registration that protects that logo. For example, Bass Ale’s red triangle is famous for being both a logo and the first trademark ever registered by the British government in 1876.

Have any famous logos been retired or replaced after long-term continuous use?

Yes, many iconic logos have been retired or significantly redesigned due to rebranding, acquisitions, or cultural changes. However, the logos featured here are exceptional examples of the oldest logos still in use with minimal changes.

Why do companies risk updating logos that are already well-known and historic?

Companies update logos to connect with younger audiences, improve digital legibility, or modernize their brand image. Campbell’s subtle logo redesign is a prime example of refreshing a historic logo while preserving its core identity.