Short answer
BMW uses its 1917 roundel. Bentley’s Winged B followed in 1919, while MG records the octagon’s trademark registration in 1924.
- Data period
- Documented historical emblem milestones
- Entries
- 3
- Comparison
- Order described in methodology
- Topic
- Logos & hidden meanings
Early Car Brand Monograms at a Glance
| Order | Brand or identity | Symbol or milestone | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 |  | BMW within a roundel | Company-name initials |
| 02 |  | Winged B | Founder surname initial |
| 03 |  | MG octagon | Morris Garages initials |
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Early Car Brand Monograms: Entry Details
BMW
1917 original logo · BMW within a roundelThree initials sit in a circular outer ring. The dated manufacturer archive establishes the early mark independently of later redesigns.
- Connection
- Company-name initials
Bentley
1919 original design · Winged BA single surname initial anchors an unusually wide badge. Crosby’s original wings made a short lettermark visible across the front of a car.
- Connection
- Founder surname initial
MG
1924 trademark registration · MG octagonThe initials and geometric enclosure form one sign. MG traces the registration to Morris Garages and its Oxford origins.
- Connection
- Morris Garages initials
Early Car Brand Monograms: Analysis
BMW Roundel and Its 1917 Origins
BMW’s letters are built into a circular frame rather than placed beside a separate animal or crest. The initials and central colour pattern therefore work together, allowing the name and emblem to be read as one compact mark.
Bentley and MG Letter Logos
Bentley gives one letter a wide silhouette with its wings. MG packs two letters into an octagon, using straight edges to make the lettering belong to the border. The Bentley badge and MG octagon show two contrasting ways to enlarge a short name.
Car Monograms and Brand Names
BMW abbreviates Bayerische Motoren Werke, while MG derives from Morris Garages. Bentley’s B instead shortens a family surname. Those differences explain why visually similar letter badges can represent a company description, a business name or a founder.
FAQ: Early Car Brand Monograms
Which of these car monograms is oldest?
BMW has the earliest milestone in this selection, with a logo dated 1917. Bentley follows in 1919 and MG’s documented registration follows in 1924.
What do the letters BMW stand for?
BMW abbreviates Bayerische Motoren Werke. The initials identify the company within the roundel’s outer ring.
What does the B in Bentley mean?
The B stands for Bentley, the surname of founder W. O. Bentley. Its wings give the letter a recognisable surrounding shape.
What does MG stand for?
MG comes from Morris Garages. The two initials became the central feature of the octagonal trademark.
Is a company founding date the same as its logo date?
BMW illustrates the difference. Its corporate history uses 1916 as the founding milestone, but the original logo dates to 1917.
Sources & methodology
Manufacturer archives establish the selected monogram milestones, ordered oldest first. Original design and trademark registration dates are labelled separately; founding dates are not substituted for logo dates.
Maintained by Artsiom Dusau, a software engineer and BMW 4 Series owner. Editorial policy
