ملف:Seal of Cambridge, Massachusetts.svg

The current city seal is a revision of the original seal, which was adopted in 1846. The seal contains an image of the Gothic Revival style building, Gore Hall, the former library building at Harvard College, and an image of the Washington Elm, the Cambridge tree made famous by the popular legend of George Washington taking command of the American Army under the tree during the Revolution. The Latin motto, which is often included around the city seal, reads: "Literis Antiquis Novis Institutis Decora." It can be translated as: "Distinguished for Classical Learning and New Institutions." Also written in Latin are the founding and chartering dates for the town and city, which are translated as: "Built in A.D. 1630. Chartered a city in A.D. 1846."

The original seal of 1846 was designed by Edward Everett, the President of Harvard from 1846-1849. He also composed the Latin motto used on the seal. Everett served as a Congressman and U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, Secretary of State, and ambassador to Great Britain.