- The Governor General of Canada
The contents of this Register are intended for research purposes only. The heraldic emblems found in the Register may not be reproduced in any form or in any media without the written consent of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and/or the recipient.
Roy Herbert Thomson
Toronto, Ontario
Registration of Arms and Supporters
October 20, 2023
Vol. VIII, p. 221
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Blazon
Arms
Argent a stag’s head caboshed proper, on a chief Azure a hunting horn Argent stringed Gules between two mullets Argent;
Crest
A beaver sejant erect proper playing a hunting horn Argent slung over his dexter shoulder by a ribbon of the Thomson tartan;
Supporters
Dexter a Mississauga warrior holding a bow, sinister a shepherd vested of the Thomson tartan kilt and a bonnet and holding a shepherd’s crook, both standing on a grassy mount proper;
Motto
NEVER A BACKWARD STEP;
Symbolism
Arms
The stag’s head on white and the blue chief are commonly found in Scottish Thomson arms. The stag’s head replaces the moose’s head in Mr. Thomson’s 1958 grant of arms. The hunting horn alludes to communications and thus refers to Mr. Thomson’s status as a media magnate.
Crest
The beaver symbolizes Mr. Thomson’s Canadian origins, while the tartan celebrates his Scottish ancestry. The horn repeats the symbolism of the Arms.
Supporters
The Canadian Heraldic Authority does not have confirmed symbolism for this emblem. The following comments are hypotheses only. The Mississauga warrior represents Southern Ontario since Mr. Thomson lived in Mississauga and his business headquarters were based in Toronto. The shepherd is another allusion to his Scottish ancestry.
Motto
This sentiment possibly refers to the hard work and drive that Mr. Thomson used to build up his many businesses.